Connect with us

Politics

TEXT OF PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S NATIONAL BROADCAST ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNBROKEN DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA, DEMOCRACY DAY 12TH JUNE 2024.

Published

on

President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Spread the love

1. My fellow Nigerians, let me begin by congratulating all of us for witnessing the celebration of another Democracy Day today, the 12th day of June 2024. This year also marks our nation’s 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

2. On this day, 31 years ago, we entered our rites of passage to becoming a true and enduring democratic society.

3. Going through this passage was hard and dangerous. During the fateful six years that followed, we fought and struggled for our natural rights as human beings put on this earth by the divine hand of our Creator.

4. We lost great heroes and heroines along the way. In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others sacrificed their very lives.

5. They bravely surrendered their futures, so that our nation might have a better one.

6. Let us honour the memories of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, and others who have transited to the higher realm.

7. The sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, among many others, should never be forgotten. For at least six years, they bore the pains and difficulties of life in exile.

8. While the exiled pro-democracy activists kept the fire burning, their comrades at home sustained the pressure on the military brass hats. Among the latter are Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Abdul Oroh, Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Chief Olu Falae, and other National Democratic Coalition leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.

9. The sacrifices they made, and the precious gift brought about by their selfless devotion can never be repaid. Neither shall it be forgotten.

10. We could not have won the battle against military dictatorship without the irrepressible Nigerian journalists who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists. We celebrate them today, along with their media establishments such as The Punch, Guardian, National Concord, Tribune, The News/Tempo, and TELL Magazines. Military authorities proscribed these media establishments and jailed their journalists for standing for free speech and civil liberties.

11. Despite the lethal might of the military government, what appeared to be high and unyielding walls of dictatorship came tumbling down. The dismal fortress exists no longer.

12. The power of an idea, the power of the people proved more potent than all the guns and munitions, and the threats of the strongmen.

13. The nation exited the yoke of military rule in 1999 to become the most populous democracy on African soil, the beacon of democratic self-determination for the black race and one of the largest democracies in the world.

14. This change stands as a pivotal moment in human history. From this change, we shall never turn, nor shall the annals of mankind’s progress forget the sublime meaning of this great moment.

15. Today, 25 years later, we celebrate the silver anniversary of our journey in democracy.

16. We have steadied the course.

17. Democracy is neither a foreign nor abstract concept devoid of real-life meaning for us. Neither can we afford to reduce or minimalise it to being nothing but the mere holding of periodic elections where one candidate and party outdo another.

18. While elections attract dramatic attention, they are but one aspect of democracy. Democracy is a way of life that encompasses a broad outlook of which elections are but a part. As such, a nation can have elections without being democratic. But a nation cannot be truly democratic without holding elections.

19. That we have established a tradition of holding transparent, open, and fair elections gives credence to our democratic bearing. That we have experienced peaceful transitions of government affirms our democratic temperament.

20. Fellow Nigerians, true democracy shines its light into the daily lives of the people who live under its nurturing wings. It affords us the freedom and liberty to think as we want, live where we want and pursue whatever legitimate endeavour that suits us.

21. Democracy does not assume some false or forced unity of opinion. In fact, democracy assumes that conflicting ideas and differing opinions shall be the order of the day. Given the diversity and variety of the human experience, there must be diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

22. What democracy demands is that we do not resolve differences through force and repression. But we make allowance for the legitimacy of views that differ from our own.

23. Where other forms of government impose against the will of the people, democracy aims to make leaders sufficiently humble that they conduct themselves as servants of the common good, not as viceroys of the narrow interests of the mighty.

24. My dear compatriots, Nigeria faced a decision of untold gravity twenty-five years ago: Whether to veer toward a better destination or continue aimlessly in the fog of dictatorship.

25. We made the right choice then. We must continue with that choice now.

26. As Nigerians, we must remind ourselves that no matter how complicated democracy may be, it is the best form of governance in the long run. We must also be aware that there are those among us who will try to exploit current challenges to undermine, if not destroy, this democracy for which so much has already been given.

27. These people do this not to make things better but to subject all other people and things to their control and dominance until the point that, if you are not counted among their elite, then your life will be small and no longer owned by you.

28. This is the great battle of our day and the major reason we specially celebrate this Democracy day.

29. Fellow Nigerians, our Democracy is more than a historic fact. It is a living, breathing reality.

30. The true meaning of this day is not to focus solely on the great deeds of the past that have brought us to this point.

31. Yes, we pay eternal honour to those who laid down their lives, sacrificing everything to pave the way for the nation.

32. I stand uniquely placed in this regard. I was among those who took the risk to midwife the birth of our democracy. I am now a direct and obvious beneficiary of the fruits of those historic efforts.

33. As president of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance. I vow to do my utmost best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria.

34. Even more than that, I pledge to do whatever is necessary to cement democracy as our way of life.

35. Although the challenges are steep and multiple, I am grateful to lead Nigeria at this moment in her history and point in her democratic journey.

36. I come before you also to declare that our most important work remains before us. This real test has never been whether we would rise to challenge the slings of misfortune and grievous pain of dictatorship.

37. The real test is whether we shall lower our guards as the shadow of despotism and its evident physical danger fade.

38. I say to you here and now that as we celebrate the enshrinement of our political democracy, let us commit ourselves to the fulfilment of its equally important counterpart, the realisation of our economic democracy.

39. I understand the economic difficulties we face as a nation.

40. Our economy has been in desperate need of reform for decades. It has been unbalanced because it was built on the flawed foundation of over-reliance on revenues from the exploitation of oil.

41. The reforms we have initiated are intended to create a stronger, better foundation for future growth. There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship. Yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay and compensation for his endeavour and labour.

42. As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.

43. In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organized labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less.

44. In the face of labour’s call for a national strike, we did not seek to oppress or crack down on the workers as a dictatorial government would have done. We chose the path of cooperation over conflict.

45. No one was arrested or threatened. Instead, the labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate toward a good-faith resolution.

46. Reasoned discussion and principled compromise are hallmarks of democracy. These themes shall continue to animate my policies and interaction with the constituent parts of our political economy.

47. I take on this vital task without fear or favour and I commit myself to this work until we have built a Nigeria where no man is oppressed.

48. In the end, our national greatness will not be achieved by travelling the easy road. It can only be achieved by taking the right one.

49. The words of the American President Franklin Roosevelt certainly ring true:

” There are many ways of going forward. But only one way of standing still”!

50. We dare not slumber lest the good things awaiting our immediate future pass us by. We dare not plant our feet in idle standstill in the middle of the intersection of hope and despair.

51. We know the proper way forward and we shall take it!

52. The initial rays of a brighter tomorrow now appear on the early horizon. An abundant future and our capacity to achieve that future lie within our reach. Democracy and the institutions it begets offer to take us to our profound destination.

53. Let us board this progressive train together. Together, let us move Nigeria forward.

54. Let’s continue to keep the fire of democracy burning. Let’s keep the torch lit for generations to come.

55. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and preserve our democracy.

56. I wish us all Happy Democracy Day.

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU

Politics

Breaking: Yuletide: FG declares Dec 25, 26, Jan 1 as public holidays

Published

on

Spread the love

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Federal Government has declared Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th December 2024, and Wednesday 1st January, 2025 as Public Holidays to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year respectively.

 

According to her, the minister extended warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of the season as a time to
foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.

The Minister also called on Nigerians to remain committed to the peace, unity and progress of the nation for national development.

“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” said Dr. Tunji-Ojo.

He assured citizens of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.

“While wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025, the Minister expressed his confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s Administration ushering in the new year, a better and prosperous economy that will be the envy of the world”, the statement added.

Continue Reading

Politics

Governor UZODINMA has offered yet again free transportation buses from Lagos to *Owerri, Okigwe* and *Orlu* . The buses are free for Imolites from Lagos to Imo State on *24th December* and back to Lagos on *4th January* .

Published

on

Spread the love

Press release

We are not fraudsters, evacuation of Imo residents in Lagos will go on – ISTDAL

Our attention had been drawn to a report where the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Imo State Government impersonated by unknown persons to issue a statement about a well intentioned gesture of the Governor to evacuate interested Imo indigenes resident in Lagos who wish to be home for the Christmas and New year celebrations.

In his magnanimity, Governor Uzodimma gave approval for the exercise to be carried out on December 24, 2024 for those returning from Lagos and those who would be returning to Lagos on January 5, 2025.

Unfortunately, unknown persons mischievously issued a Statement where
the name and designation of the Chief Press Secretary were impersonated as the author.

Based on that the Chief Press Secretary raised a strong statement where he called those behind the criminal and mischievous statement fraudsters, believing we were the ones behind it.

While we regret the criminal intentions of those behind the impersonation of the Office of the Governor’s spokesperson, we make bold to dissociate members of our association who are part of the evaluation exercise as fraudsters.

If anything, members of our association work in tandem with the Governor and his government for the wellbeing of our people for which this exercise is one of them.

Like the Governor, we mean well for our people resident in Lagos or any other part of the country and will not be part of moves to undermine the good intentions of His Excellency.

We put up this statement after conferring with the Chief Press Secretary and availing him with the facts regarding the exercise, and do hope that those who have already indicated interest in travelling through the channels we had earlier announced, and intending ones, should feel free to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Please, refer to our earlier announcement where the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor was not impersonated.

*Breaking news!! Breaking news!!!.*
*To all Imolites resident in Lagos.*

The Imo State Governor *Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodimna (OON)* in line with 3Rs of His Excellency’s administration and in alleviating the stress, difficulties and hardship Imolites go through during Christmas journey, Governor UZODINMA has offered yet again free transportation buses from Lagos to *Owerri, Okigwe* and *Orlu* .

The buses are free for Imolites from Lagos to Imo State on *24th December* and back to Lagos on *4th January* .

Interested persons should please call *(ISTDAL)* *08033255565, 08092362966* or *07089303866* for seats reservation.

Please the buses are free and is on first come accreditation bases, once the seats are fully booked the registration closes, ( *_PLS DO NOT PAY ANYBODY ONE KOBO_)*

Please the buses are *NOT LUXURIES BUSES* , so only passengers with a small sizable bags will be allowed. (no big boxes or load is allowed)

The buses will leave on Tuesday 24th December at exactly *7.15am* to Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu.

The departure point will be made available after your registration, *(if you are not captured on accreditation, pls don’t bother coming as only accreditated passengers are allowed)* and please indicate your direction.

Call *Chima Davis* on the above numbers as soon as possible for accreditation ahead of time, you *must prove* you are from Imo State.

Note: the bus will not stop or drop any passenger until it passes Ihiala unto Imo State.

Thanks and best regards

*_C@davis 21.12.24_*

Continue Reading

Politics

FG Sets Aside ₦27bn For Obasanjo, Gowon, Buhari, Others In 2025

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The Federal Government has allocated ₦27 billion for the entitlements of former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, chiefs of staff, retired heads of service, and professors in the 2025 fiscal year.

The beneficiaries of this allocation include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, alongside ex-vice-presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Other notable individuals expected to benefit from this allocation are ex-military Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), as well as former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, and retired Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.

It can be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented the 2025 budget, titled ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,’ to a joint session of the National Assembly. The ₦49.70 trillion spending plan prioritizes defence, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected ₦13.39 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

The Federal Government has allocated ₦1.4 trillion for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits. This allocation includes ₦2.3 billion for former presidents, heads of state, and vice presidents. Retired heads of service and permanent secretaries will receive ₦10.5 billion, while retired professors in universities will get ₦13.5 billion. Additionally, ₦1 billion has been allocated for retired heads of government agencies and parastatals. The total allocation for these groups amounts to ₦27 billion.

Furthermore, the budget allocates ₦46 billion for civilian pensions under the Office of the Head of Civil Service, while ₦383.9 billion is earmarked for military pensions and gratuities. An additional ₦66.8 billion is budgeted for expected retirees, with ₦434 million allocated for administrative charges, ₦596 million for pension running costs, and ₦870 million for medical retirees.

The Federal Government has also set aside funds for various social investment programs, including the student loan scheme, National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy programs, National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and the Consumer Credit Fund initiatives. A total of ₦500 billion has been allocated for these programs, with ₦50 billion specifically earmarked for the student loan scheme.

Continue Reading

Trending