READ YOUR PRESIDENT’S SPEECH!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the Occasion of Nigeria’s 53rd
Independence Anniversary: Tuesday 1st
October, 2013
FELLOW NIGERIANS,
1. Today marks 53 years of our Independence as
a nation. First and foremost, I would like to say
congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin,
we have built this country together. Through
triumphs and trials, we have developed a
Nigerian identity in our own way.
2. In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress
and we are challenged everyday to keep building
in spite of the various obstacles that we face.
Our strength has been in our diversity. If we
look back over the years, we can say confidently
that there is every reason to celebrate.
3. Today’s Independence anniversary is unique
because it is the last before we mark our
centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be
100 years old as a country, following the
amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern
and Northern Nigeria in 1914! Beloved country
men and women, traditionally, the Presidential
address on this symbolic day has served two
purposes. It has, quite rightly, been used to
remind all Nigerians about our heritage. It has
also allowed my predecessors and I to comment
on our stewardship to the nation and make
political capital out of a state occasion.
5. But this year, I will not. Because, today of all
days, we should not be scoring political points.
On the contrary, in this last year of the first
century of our Union, we should be addressing
our future as a Nation and a people! I admit
that these may not be the best of times for our
nation. Our people are divided in many ways –
ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially.
I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide
from my own responsibilities.
7. Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep
feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of
the appalling atrocities in some of our States,
especially the North Eastern part of our
country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements
attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba,
Yobe State killing a number of innocent
students of the institution and other residents
in cold blood, most of them in their sleep. This
act of barbarism is a demonstration of the
extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize
our nation. But I assure you, they will not
succeed.
Independence Anniversary: Tuesday 1st
October, 2013
FELLOW NIGERIANS,
1. Today marks 53 years of our Independence as
a nation. First and foremost, I would like to say
congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin,
we have built this country together. Through
triumphs and trials, we have developed a
Nigerian identity in our own way.
2. In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress
and we are challenged everyday to keep building
in spite of the various obstacles that we face.
Our strength has been in our diversity. If we
look back over the years, we can say confidently
that there is every reason to celebrate.
3. Today’s Independence anniversary is unique
because it is the last before we mark our
centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be
100 years old as a country, following the
amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern
and Northern Nigeria in 1914! Beloved country
men and women, traditionally, the Presidential
address on this symbolic day has served two
purposes. It has, quite rightly, been used to
remind all Nigerians about our heritage. It has
also allowed my predecessors and I to comment
on our stewardship to the nation and make
political capital out of a state occasion.
5. But this year, I will not. Because, today of all
days, we should not be scoring political points.
On the contrary, in this last year of the first
century of our Union, we should be addressing
our future as a Nation and a people! I admit
that these may not be the best of times for our
nation. Our people are divided in many ways –
ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially.
I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide
from my own responsibilities.
7. Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep
feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of
the appalling atrocities in some of our States,
especially the North Eastern part of our
country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements
attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba,
Yobe State killing a number of innocent
students of the institution and other residents
in cold blood, most of them in their sleep. This
act of barbarism is a demonstration of the
extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize
our nation. But I assure you, they will not
succeed.
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