• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

‘Nigeria at 60’ Full text of President Buhari’s Independence Day speech

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
October 1, 2020
in General
0
Muhammadu Buhari 1024x683 1
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0

INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S SIXTIETH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2020

Fellow Nigerians

I speak to you today as your President and fellow citizen on this epoch occasion of our country’s 60th independence Anniversary. As President, I wish to renew my appreciation to Nigerians for entrusting me with your hopes and aspirations for a better and greater Nigeria.

  1. Today, it is my unique privilege to re-commit myself to the service of this great country of great people with profound diversities and opportunities. We are bound by destiny to be the largest and greatest black nation on earth.

  2. At this stage in our nationhood it is important that we reflect how we got here to enable us work TOGETHER to get to where we aspire to be as a strong indivisible nation, united in hope and equal in opportunity.

  3. On October 1st 1960 when Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa received the constitutional instruments symbolizing Nigeria’s independence, he expressed his wish that having acquired our rightful status as an independent sovereign nation, history would record that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace.

  4. This optimism was anchored on the peaceful planning, full and open consultation and harmonious cooperation with the different groups which culminated in Nigeria emerging as a country without bitterness and bloodshed.

  5. Our founding fathers understood the imperative of structuring a National identity using the power of the state and worked towards unification of Nigerians in a politically stable and viable entity.

  6. That philosophy guided the foundation that was laid for our young nation of 45 million people with an urban population of approximately 7million occupying an area of 910,768 square kilometers. These demographics led to development challenges for which major efforts were made to overcome.

  7. Today, we grapple with multiple challenges with a population exceeding 200million occupying the same land mass but 52% residing in urban areas.

  8. Sixty years of nationhood provides an opportunity to ask ourselves questions on the extent to which we have sustained the aspirations of our founding fathers. Where did we do the right things? Are we on course? If not where did we stray and how can we remedy and retrace our steps?

  9. Upon attaining independence, Nigeria’s growth trajectory was anchored on policies and programmes that positively impacted on all sectors of the economy. However, this journey was cut short by the 30-months of civil war.

  10. We came out of the civil war with a focus on reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation that enabled the country to put in place world-class development structures and a strengthened public service that well served the government. This positive trajectory continued with a return to democratic government which was truncated by another round of military rule.

  11. For a cumulative 29 of our 60 years existence as a nation, we have been under military rule.

  12. My summary of our journey so far as a nation is necessary to appropriately chart where we need to go and how to get there TOGETHER.

  13. Today, I am aware that our economy along with every single economy in the world is in crisis. We still face security challenges in parts of the country, while our society suffers from a high loss of moral rectitude which is driven by unbridled craving for political control.

  14. An underlying cause of most of the problems we have faced as a nation is our consistent harping on artificially contrived fault-lines that we have harboured and allowed unnecessarily to fester.

  15. In addition, institutions such as civil service, police, the judiciary, the military all suffered from a general decline.

  16. We need to begin a sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunity to eliminate old and outworn perceptions that are always put to test in the lie they always are.

  17. The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nation’s evolution and integration.

  18. To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such – OUR PEOPLE – and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields.

  19. It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields.

  20. Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home have resulted in globally recognized endeavours.

  21. I am convinced that if we pursue our aspirations TOGETHER we would be able to achieve whatever we desire. That informed our adopting the theme TOGETHER to mark this epochal event.

  22. Together we can change our condition for the better and more importantly, together we can do much more for ourselves and for our country.

  23. I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on a daily basis and I must confess that at most times, I always felt the need for a collective reflection as I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians.

  24. Nigeria is not a country for Mr. President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of challenges we face, to make this country what we desire.

  25. To achieve this, we must focus our minds, TOGETHER as a people, on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underlie our present state. These include:

a. Evolving and sustaining a democratic culture that leaves power in the hands of the people;

b. Supporting the enthronement of the rule of law, demanding accountability of elected representatives and contributing to good governance;

c. Increasing our commitment to peaceful co-existence in a peaceful, secure and united Nigeria;

d. Harnessing and Optimizing our tremendous human and natural resources to attain our goal of being in the top twenty economies of the world and in the process;

e. Lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years;

f. Strengthening institutions to make them stronger in protecting National Interests; and

g. Imbibing tolerance in diversity.

  1. I am a firm believer in transparent, free, fair and credible elections as has been demonstrated during my period as a democratically elected President.

  2. The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.

  3. The problems with our electoral process are mainly human induced as desperate desire for power leads to desperate attempts to gain power and office.

  4. Democracy, the world over and as I am pursuing in Nigeria, recognizes the power of the people. However, if some constituencies choose to bargain off their power, they should be prepared for denial of their rights.

  5. This call is made more urgent if we realise that even after a transparent, free, fair and credible election, desperation leads to compromising the judiciary to upturn legitimate decisions of the people.

  6. It is necessary to, therefore support the enthronement of the rule of law by avoiding actions which compromise the judiciary.

  7. Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are a people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

  8. As a government, we remain committed to our constitutional oath of securing the lives and properties of the citizenry. I, however, call on the citizenry to also support government by providing the necessary community level intelligence in addressing these challenges.

  9. In moving forward together, it is important to strengthen our economy to provide sustainable means of livelihood for as many Nigerians as possible so as to eradicate absolute poverty from our midst.

  10. I want to re-emphasize my dedication and commitment, a dedication and commitment that propelled my public service career and informed my quest to continually seek for an opportunity to improve the lives of Nigerians, set the country on the path of prosperity and lead the country to a better future.

  11. This administration has been focused on rebuilding and laying the foundations for a sustainable Nigeria. Of course, we have met and are still meeting the challenges inherent in any rebuilding initiative – more so that of a nation like Nigeria that has undergone avoidable levels of deprivation – but can be surmounted if we all work together.

  12. I wish to re-iterate that our people and our spirit of excellence remains our most important asset.

  13. In this wise, the need to return to our age-old ethical and high moral values would be necessary and this informed my launching of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy on Monday 28th September, 2020.

  14. The policy would not implement itself and the first contact of the visibility of its implementation is the Public Service whose on-going reforms would be expected to be sustainable and give a radical re-direction in providing services to all Nigerians.

  15. Fellow Nigerians, in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenue.

  16. Our government is grappling with the dual challenge of saving lives and livelihoods in face of drastically reduced resources.

  17. In this regard, sustaining the level of petroleum prices is no longer possible. The government, since coming into office has recognized the economic argument for adjusting the price of petroleum. But the social argument about the knock-on effect of any adjustment weighed heavily with the government.

  18. Accordingly, in the last three years, we have introduced unprecedented measures in support of the economy and to the weakest members of our society in the shape of:

a. Tradermoni

b. Farmermoni

c. School Feeding Programme

d. Job creation efforts

e. Agricultural intervention programmes

  1. No government in the past did what we are doing with such scarce resources. We have managed to keep things going in spite of the disproportionate spending on security. Those in the previous Governments from 1999 – 2015 who presided over the near destruction of the country have now the impudence to attempt to criticize our efforts.

  2. In the circumstances, a responsible government must face realities and take tough decisions.

  3. Petroleum prices in Nigeria are to be adjusted. We sell now at N161 per litre. A comparison with our neighbours will illustrate the point;

a. Chad which is an oil producing country charges N362 per litre

b. Niger, also an oil producing country sells 1 litre at N346.

c. In Ghana, another oil producing country, petroleum pump price is N326 per litre.

  1. Further afield, Egypt charges N211 per litre. Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre. It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia.

  2. Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great country we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do that which is right and proper even when no one is watching.

  3. Fellow Nigerians, let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the sixty years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities. By the special grace of God we shall come through any transient challenges.

  4. It is my sincere hope that by the end of this anniversary on September 30th 2021, we will all be proud of taking this individual and collective self-assessment for the progress of our great Nation.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God Bless us all. Thank you.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
otunba victor profile picture scaled
Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.


Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Posts

kingdiary logo 6 jpg
General

Ghanaian govt dismisses David Hundeyin’s importance, accusations, assures no repatriation to Nigeria

by Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
October 24, 2023
xxxxx 1
General

‘N50,000!’ Win cool cash in lockdown

by Freelanews
March 31, 2020
Oil drilling e1500962362227
General

Nigeria spent $770m on oil imports in first half of 2020, CBN claims

by Freelanews
September 17, 2020
WhatsApp Image 2020 04 01 at 11.38.20 AM 1
General

‘Caring’ Army renovates flats for senior officers to avoid choking from COVID-19 (Photos)

by Freelanews
April 1, 2020
9af41a21f83e9b92ea9f291e40f04166
General

‘Entitled frat boy!’ Fox News correspondent slams Trump over election loss

by Freelanews
December 27, 2020

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
Uche Nnaji resignation

BREAKING! Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji resigns over certificate forgery allegations

October 7, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun

Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun remembered with love

September 14, 2025
Taylor Swift deepfake scandal

Taylor Swift faces deepfake scandal as Swifties call for stricter regulation

January 25, 2024
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

0
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

0
Meran Primary Health Centre

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

0
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

0
Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
CBN monetary stability

CBN assures Nigerians of monetary stability progress

October 8, 2025
Uche Nnaji resignation

BREAKING! Tinubu’s Minister, Uche Nnaji resigns over certificate forgery allegations

October 7, 2025
October 2025
MTWTFSS
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Editor’s Pick

  • OGD vs DA
    OGD vs DA: The real story never told
    • August 22, 2025
  • Toyota Sienna harassment
    Why is Lagos State govt harassing Toyota Sienna users?
    • August 19, 2025
  • Otunba Gbenga Daniel
    Who really is Otunba Gbenga Daniel?
    • August 18, 2025

Hot!

Rotary Club cataract surgery

Rotary Club cataract surgery transforms 30,000 lives

October 8, 2025
Ikechukwu N arrest

Ikechukwu N arrest shocks Argentina after INTERPOL raid

October 8, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Total
0
Share
0
0
0
0
0
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Discover more from Freelanews

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading