Tag: Independence Day

  • Independence Day: Do Not Lose Hope in Nigeria, Says Rep Member, Akande-Sadipe

    Independence Day: Do Not Lose Hope in Nigeria, Says Rep Member, Akande-Sadipe

    The Member, House of Representatives, representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon. Tolu Akande-Sadipe has called on Nigerians not to lose hope in the Nation, despite the challenges of today.

    Rejoicing with Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 62nd Independence Anniversary, Akande-Sadipe said citizens should instead thank God and keep faith. 

    In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Olamilekan Olusada, Akande-Sadipe, who Chairs the House Committee on Diaspora expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its challenges, including insecurity.

    “Nigeria remains a force to reckon with in the comity of nations. I beseech us to remain steadfast and go to the polls to vote in the 2023 elections based on facts, track record and not on false sentiments and propaganda”, she

    said.

    Her emotional appeal to Nigerians to be patriotic and protect their vote in 2023 was laden with love for Nigeria.

    She underscored the need for full participation of all Nigerians in the coming elections, saying individual contribution will make Nigeria a better place.

    Hon. Akande-Sadipe urged Nigerians to look inwards, contribute their own quota and be peaceful, as this will foster unity and growth.

    “2023 is approaching, our votes will make a huge difference. So I appeal to us all to abhor any firm of violence. Nigeria will be great again”, she concluded.

  • Independence Day: Peter Obi Supporters Hold Mega Rallies In Lagos, Kaduna Other States

    Independence Day: Peter Obi Supporters Hold Mega Rallies In Lagos, Kaduna Other States

    Supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have commenced their rallies in major cities in the country.

    The LP candidate supporters known as ‘Obidients’ converged at strategic places in Lagos, Kaduna, Abia, Edo, amongst other states in Nigeria.

    The rallies coincided with Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day Anniversary being marked on Saturday.

    In Lagos, the supporters started the walk from the Admiralty Junction moving through the major road in Lekki.

    They made stops at every junction waving flags, banners and other paraphernalia as they rally towards Jakande, Elegushi axis, an apparent move to avoid confrontation with the police already stationed at the Lekki Toll Gate.

    See more Photos;

  • FULL TEXT: Buhari Address Nigerians On 62nd Independence Day

    FULL TEXT: Buhari Address Nigerians On 62nd Independence Day

    INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S 62ND INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON 1ST OCTOBER, 2022

    Fellow Nigerians,

    I address you today, with a deep sense of gratitude to God and a high level of appreciation to all Nigerians whose tremendous goodwill gave me the opportunity to provide leadership for our great country at one of the trying times in her history.

    2.​Conscious that today’s address would be my last on an Independence Day as your President; I speak to the millions of Nigerians, who believed in me, propelled and stood by me in my quest to bequeath a country where all citizens have equal opportunities to achieve their lives desires in a peaceful atmosphere.

    3.​I am honoured to say that my story in the annals of Nigeria’s history is no household secret. My various attempts, failures and eventual success in being elected as a Democratic President in 2015 was made possible by the majority of Nigerians.

    4.​ When you elected me, I readily acknowledged that the tasks before me were daunting but surmountable because of the growing national consensus that our chosen route to national development was democracy.

    5.​This democracy was to be anchored on a clear understanding, application and the principles of separation of powers supported by a reformed public service that is more effective.

    6.​I then pledged to Improve the Economy, Tackle Corruption and Fight Insecurity and this was further strengthened by my commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years as the central plank of my second term in 2019.

    7.​To the Glory of God and His Grace as well as the commitment and passion displayed by many Nigerian supporters, we have made appreciable progress in these areas but not yet at our destination.

    8.​Mindful of the task before us, we took some time in settling down and we re-positioned the Economy by providing strategic interventions in core areas at both the Federal and Sub-National levels.

    9.​One of the areas where we have made significant progress is in the eradication of deeply entrenched corruption that permeates all facets of our national development.

    10.​We strengthened the Institutions for tackling corruption and also cultivated international support, which aided the repatriation of huge sums of money illegally kept outside the country.

    11.​The increasing number of prosecutions and convictions, with associated refunds of large sums of money is still ongoing. Furthermore, we would continue to block opportunities that encourage corrupt practices.

    12.​In order to address Insecurity, we worked methodically in reducing Insurgency in the North East, Militancy in the Niger Delta, Ethnic and Religious Tensions in some sections of Nigeria along with other problems threatening our country.

    13.​Our efforts in re-setting the economy manifested in Nigeria exiting two economic recessions by the very practical and realistic monetary and fiscal measures to ensure effective public financial management. In addition, the effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account and cutting down on the cost of governance also facilitated early exits from recessions.

    14.​Fellow Nigerians, this administration removed several decades uncertainty for potential Investors in the Oil & Gas sector with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. This landmark legislation created opportunities for foreign investments in addition to improving transparency in the management of the sector.

    15.​Our administration has given the desired priority to the Agricultural Sector through a series of incentives to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that resulted in creating millions of jobs. Leading this initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in a number of areas as well as the Anchor Borrowers Programme had created the required leverages for Nigerians towards self-sufficiency in food and the necessary attraction for farming as a business.

    16.​The growing contribution of non-oil exports, especially in agriculture, information and communication technology as well as the performing arts to our national economy will enhance our foreign exchange earning capacity.

    17.​We are confronting current economic challenges such as debt burden, growing inflation, living standards and increasing unemployment accentuated by our growing youthful population. These problems are globally induced and we would continue to ensure that their negative effects are addressed in our policies.

    18.​This administration will continue to ensure that our fiscal policies are supported by a robust and contemporary monetary policy that recognises our peculiarities in the midst of the growing global economic difficulties.

    19.​This is evidenced by the recent Monetary Policy Committee decision to maintain all parameters, especially interest rates and marginally increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 14% to 15.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 27.5% to 32.5%. It is projected that this would further insulate our economy from over exposure to uncertainties at the international market by restraining growth in core inflation.

    20.​As we continue to de-escalate the security challenges that confronted us at inception of this administration, newer forms alien to our country began to manifest especially in the areas of kidnappings, molestations/killings of innocent citizens, banditry, all of which are being addressed by our security forces.

    21.​I share the pains Nigerians are going through and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.

    22.​At the inception of this administration in 2015, I provided the funding requirements of the security agencies which was also improved in my second tenure in 2019 to enable them to surmount security challenges. We will continue on this path until our efforts yield the desired results.

    23.​ As we put in place all measures to ensure that Nigeria takes her place in the Comity of Nations, we recognize the importance of a well-educated populace as a panacea to most of the challenges we face.

    24.​We have, therefore, pursued policies and implemented programmes designed to create a literate and proficient society that ensures that citizens are availed with opportunities for life-long achievements.

    25.​I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.

    26.​The Federal Government will continue to mobilize resources both internationally and nationally towards funding education to ensure that our citizens are well educated and skilled in various vocations in view of the fact that education is a leading determinant of economic growth and employment generation.

    27.​Fellow Nigerians, we have also improved our health facilities, especially during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracted commendation of the global community.

    28.​As you are aware, Nigeria was one of the countries that defied global predictions of the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic because of our resilience, commitment and passion with which we individually and collectively managed the pandemic.

    29.​This administration embarked on addressing critical ecological challenges across the country in order to mitigate the impact of Climate Change manifesting in the form of flood, soil erosion, desertification, air pollution amongst others

    30.​We will continue to ensure that our infrastructure drive remains the key to Nigeria’s economic growth and for which every Nigerian will feel the impact.

    31.​The Federal Government is already expanding ports operations to ensure that they provide opportunities for the growth of the Nigerian economy.

    32.​We have also continued to accelerate our infrastructure development through serviceable and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow & increased revenue generation by expanding the tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

    33.​To further open up our communities to economic activities, we have continued to boost our railway infrastructure with the completion of a good number of critical railways and at the same time rehabilitating as well as upgrading obsolete equipment.

    34.​I am pleased to inform my fellow citizens that besides our emphasis on infrastructural development with its attendant opportunities for job creation, employment generation and subsequent poverty reduction, our focussed intervention directly to Nigerians through the National Social Investment Programme is also yielding benefits.

    35.​There is hardly any ward, village or local government in Nigeria today that has not benefited from one of the following: N-Power, trader-moni, market moni, subsidized loans, business grants or Conditional Cash Transfers.

    36.​All the aforementioned programmes along with various interventions by the National Social Investment programme, direct support to victims of flooding and other forms of disasters have provided succor to the affected Nigerians.

    37.​Fellow Nigerians, no matter what gains we make, without a good governance system anchored on electing credible leaders on the basis of free, fair, credible and transparent elections, our efforts would not be enough.

    38.​It is for this reason that I have resolved to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture which will remain lasting. The signing of the Electoral Act 2021 as amended with landmark provisions further assures us of a more transparent and inclusive Electoral Process.

    39.​Having witnessed at close quarters, the pains, anguish and disappointment of being a victim of an unfair electoral process, the pursuit of an electoral system and processes that guarantee election of leaders by citizens remains the guiding light as I prepare to wind down our administration.

    40.​You would all agree that the recent elections in the past two years in some states (notably Anambra, Ekiti and Osun) and a few federal constituencies have shown a high degree of credibility, transparency and freedom of choice with the people’s votes actually counting. This I promise would be improved upon as we move towards the 2023 General Elections.

    41.​As we begin the transition process to another democratically elected government, I want to implore all aspirants to conduct issues-based campaigns devoid of hate speeches as well as other negative and divisive tendencies.

    42.​I also want to express my wish that we see more female and youth participation in the forth-coming electoral cycle. I am sure that our teeming and energetic youths now realise that violence generally mar elections and so should desist from being used by politicians for this purpose.

    43.​Reforms in the public sector are already yielding results especially in the delivery of services. On this note, I urge the general public to demand for citizen-centred services from the relevant authorities.

    44.​On the international front, we have continued to take advantage of our bilateral and multilateral platforms to explore cooperation with friendly countries and partners whenever these areas of cooperation are to the advantage of Nigeria.

    45.​Fellow Nigerians, in the past few years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of challenges that would ordinarily have destroyed our Nation. However, the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people has ensured that we overcome our challenges.

    46.​It is in this spirit that I call on all of us to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all our development issues.

    47.​I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians. Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams.

    ​I thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Independence Day: Buhari to address Nigerians by 7am

    Independence Day: Buhari to address Nigerians by 7am

    As part of activities commemorating the 62nd Independence Anniversary of the country, President Buhari will address the nation on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 7 am.

    A statement released by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, says all television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast.

  • Independence Day: FG Declares October 3 as Public Holiday

    Independence Day: FG Declares October 3 as Public Holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 3 as a public holiday to mark the nation’s 62nd Independence anniversary.

    Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore.

    Aregbesola congratulated Nigerians on the celebration and assured of the government’s commitment to tackling the challenges facing the nation and bringing smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

    “The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation.

    “However, I’m assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at its disposal until respite comes our way,” he added.

    Aregbesola reiterated the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country “if we work hard as a people”.

    “A country of over 200million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are,” he said.

    Aregbesola also admonished Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the challenges facing the nation and the role they can play in addressing them.

  • Independence Day Boat Race: Navy Sailing Club to keep nurturing talents

    Independence Day Boat Race: Navy Sailing Club to keep nurturing talents

    Tunde Giwa-Daramola, Commodore of the Navy Sailing Club, Ojo, in Lagos on Friday said the club would continue to intensify effort to nurture budding talents in water sports.

    Giwa-Daramola made this known during the club’s Independence Day/Commodore’s Boat Race organised to celebrate the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary.

    “Nigeria is 61 today and despite all the challenges we are facing, we still have reasons to celebrate the significance of the day.

    “We do this yearly to also committed to identify and nurture talents that would represent the country in water sports in the nearest future.

    “The club remain the foremost sailing club in the country and I am proud to say that anybody that is anybody in water both past and present started from this club.

    “We will continue in this line to enhance water sports through our underage swimmers and sailors who are the future of the country,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of the event, retired Rear Admiral Andrew Okoja, said he was impressed with what the club was doing to identify and nurture budding talents.

    Okoja, who was the club’s first Commodore, commended its present members for upholding the legacy of the club.

    “What the club is doing is very encouraging and it shows they are building on the legacy we left.

    “The major significance is that talents are being identified regularly through this yearly events,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jeffrey Japhath, a nine-year-old boy who won the boys swimming event at the competition, thanked the club for always engaging young athletes in water sports.

    “I started swimming in the club at the age of four and ever since then, I have participated in all the events organised and it has help me improve my skills,” he said.

    Also, Khadijah Aminu-Giginya, a 14-year-old participant, said her desire is to represent the country in the nearest future.

    “I started this sport when I was five and ever since it has been a great experience for me because I have competed in two national competitions and I hope to represent Nigeria one day,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants competed in over 10 events in the competition.

    NAN also reports that three new members were inducted into the club during the event. 

  • Independence Day: Gov Ortom Urges Nigerians to Reject Impunity, Injustices

    Independence Day: Gov Ortom Urges Nigerians to Reject Impunity, Injustices

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has admonished Nigerians to continue to demand for a country that would guarantee justice and fairness.

    Ortom who made the call in a statement to mark this year’s Independence anniversary, urges Nigerians to reject Impunity, Injustices if the country must realize its potential as a prosperous nation.

    The Governor enjoined the people to sustain their faith in the ability and unity of the country to overcome the myriad of challenges bedeviling it.

    Ortom opined that men and women of honor and integrity who can promote the rule of law and value of the land as well as the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers must speak out to make the nation great again.

    He stressed that only a sustained synergy between the Federal Government and the States as well as other stakeholders can stamp out terrorists, bandits and other criminal activities that are rocking the country.

    He assured Benue people of his administration’s commitment to address the numerous development challenges. He lauded the people of the state for the support they have given to his administration and Implored them to sustain it.

    The Governor wishes the people of Benue State and all Nigerians a peaceful Independence celebration

  • Independence Day : Sycophants Ruling Nigeria – Gov Ortom

    Independence Day : Sycophants Ruling Nigeria – Gov Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said sycophants have taken over the leadership of Nigeria.

    Ortom also said the leaders of the country including himself have failed the citizens as nothing significant was happening in every sphere of the nation.

    He spoke to journalists in Makurdi shortly after the Church service held at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi, to mark this year’s Independence celebration.

    “There is nothing to celebrate, that’s why here in Benue state, we choose to celebrate God for giving us life. We cannot celebrate anything; is it the economy close to N600 per dollar?. Is it what?”

    “What are we celebrating as a people? We leaders have failed. We leaders have failed this country. Sycophants, mediocres are the ones ruling. They have taken over. Corruption has taken over this country and in every sphere of life, nothing is happening.

    “But, we need to celebrate God for keeping us alive, maybe tomorrow we can have a better Nigeria. But for now, I won’t deceive you, there is nothing to celebrate,” he said.

    The governor earlier in his remarks during the church service lamented the height of insecurity, disclosing that over 100 security personnel had lost their lives between 2017 till date while trying to provide security for the people of the state.

    He commended security agencies in the state for the recent arrest of a notorious outlaw nicknamed “Azonto”, even as he stressed the need for his return to the state so he could face justice.

    Ortom further decried the plights of over a million displaced people in various camps across the state just as he urged Nigerians to continue to demand for a country that guarantees justice and fairness for all as in his estimation the nation as at now was far from the dreams of the founding fathers.

  • Nigeria at 61: Akande-Sadipe Rekindles Nigerians’ Hopes

    Nigeria at 61: Akande-Sadipe Rekindles Nigerians’ Hopes

    The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has rekindled the hopes of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora in the Nation.

    Celebrating Nigeria at 61, Akande-Sadipe called on Nigerians to join hands across tribal divides and work for a Nigeria, where there is peace, love and equity.

    She prayed that God would favour the Nation with His Grace and Blessing, while he leads her leaders aright.

    “I pray that God would favour this Nation with his Grace, Blessing and Lead us right”.

    She expressed optimism in the Nation, adding that there are lots to celebrate, as a nation.

    “Nigeria at 61, I believe there is a lot to celebrate, that we exist as a nation is to be celebrated, we need to celebrate because life gives us an opportunity for change, for further development, an opportunity to be the great Nation that we really want to be and ought to be, if Nigeria today no longer existed there would be no Future or Hope as a Nation”

    “My prayer for Nigeria is to heal itself from within, healing itself from within is not all about our leaders only, in my opinion, leadership comes out of the people so when the people fix themselves, the leadership that would come out of the people would be the leadership that we are proud of”, she added.

    In her emotional tribute, Akande-Sadipe said, “The future belongs to us. The future is in our Hands!!! God bless Nigeria.”

  • Independence Day: There is hope for Nigeria – Rev. Pam

    Independence Day: There is hope for Nigeria – Rev. Pam

    …calls on governments to address challenges in IDPs

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    As Nigeria marks it’s 61st Anniversary today, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam in a felicitation message said that despite the challenges there was still hope for Nigeria as a nation.

    This was contained in a press release signed by the NCPC, Head, Media and Public Relations , Celestine Toruka and made available to Daybreak today.

    The release stated that Rev. Pam said, ” My message for Nigeria is that there is still hope, it is well with Nigeria”, adding that the nation will surely get to it’s final destination.

    The NCPC boss emphatized with families that had gone through one ugly experience or the other to keep hope alive.

    Rev. Pam emphazied that the unity of the country is not negotiable and called on Nigerians to imbibe the values of nationhood.

    Furthermore he charged those leadership positions and all security operatives to pursue peace with vigour and put an end to banditry, kidnapping and all forms of security threats bedeviling the country.

    He called on the Army and the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of all the heinous crimes in our society via synergy in order to win the fight against insurgency and other criminalities.

    He called on non governmental organisations to come to the aid of the displaced Nigerians and provide basic care and needs for humanity sake while calling on government at all levels to urgently address the problems of the Internally Displaced Persons in the society.

    He also tasked the religious and traditional rulers to ensure that their people are law abiding.