As Nigerians mark 59th independence anniversary, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has stressed the need for people to change their orientation and put national interest first above all things.

He stated this at the march past to commemorate the nation’s independence anniversary held at Lekan Salami Sport Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Correspondent Iyabo Adebisi who covered the event for Radio Nigeria reports that the programme recorded low turn-out due to the early morning rain.

Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan,  reviewed the parade of gallant men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force before the usual march past by students, voluntary organisations and unions.

The governor said there was the need for Nigerians to shun egocentric concepts which negate the progress of the nation.

He congratulated the people of Oyo State for witnessing another edition of the national celebration in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Governor Makinde said his administration would continue to chart a course to launch the state into a land of great investments with economic opportunities and agricultural development.

Prizes were given to the first three deserving schools for the march past, essay writing competition and debate.

Highlight of the event was the cultural display by the state cultural troupe.

Iyabo Adebisi

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the country’s armed forces for combating insurgency, in a nationwide broadcast to mark this year’s independence anniversary.

He said good governance and economic development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security.

“Our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results.”

Boko Haram has waged a decade long insurgency in the country.

He said the ministry of police affairs has been resuscitated to oversee the development and implementation of strategies to enhance internal security.

“These initiatives are being complemented by the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to arrest the incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across our nation.”

He said government remains resolute to combating militant attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta and accelerate the Ogoni Clean-up to address long-standing environmental challenges in that region.

Hate speech

President Buhari advised against utterances that leads to hatred and distrust which he said only further leads to hostility and destruction.

Economic growth

He said the administration inherited a skewed economy but was turned around through focusing and building investment-driven Non-Oil Sector, which constituted 40%of Gross Domestic Product and comprised agriculture, livestock, agro-processing, arts, entertainment, mining and manufacturing activities that provide millions of jobs opportunities.

“Pursuant to these reforms, the economy has recovered and we have had 9 successive quarters of growth since our exit from recession. The exchange rate in the last 3 years has remained stable, with robust reserves of US$42.5 billion, up from US$23 billion in October 2016, he said.

He announced that the executive and legislature were working together to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and amendments to the Deep Offshore Act and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act into law, to ensure government obtains a fair share of oil revenues, whilst encouraging private sector investment.

In August this year, a Presidential Power Initiative to modernize the National Grid in 3 phases was launched: starting from 5 Gigawatts to 7 Gigawatts, then to 11 Gigawatts by 2023, and finally 25 Gigawatts afterwards. This he said, in partnership with the German Government and Siemens, will provide end-to-end electrification solutions that will resolve transmission and distribution challenges.

Transparency and good governance

He said Nigeria has international partnerships to combat tax evasion, smuggling, terrorism and illicit financial flows.

“An example is the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case. The Federal Ministry of Justice is working with the US Department of Justice to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the repatriation of these funds.

The P & ID Arbitral Award has underscored the manner in which significant economic damage has been caused by the past activities of a few corrupt and unpatriotic Nigerians, he lamented.

P&ID is a Irish firms that sued Nigerian government for breach of contract in a London court and was awarded $9bn dollars in damages.

However 2 senior officials of the firm have been convicted of fraud by a Nigerian court, thus declaring the contract process fraudulent and without due process.

A London court has since ruled that Nigeria can appeal the verdict.

President Buhari said Nigerians should question and confront corrupt practices, by reporting unethical practices or through whistleblowing.

Full Speech of President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary

Dear compatriots

1st October each year is an opportunity for us to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on our country.

1. It is also a time for us, collectively, to:
2. Remember the sacrifices made by our Founders and great leaders past; by soldiers, by distinguished public servants; by traditional leaders, by our workers —- sacrifices on which Nigeria has been built over the 59 years since Independence in 1960; and
3. Rededicate ourselves to attaining the goals which we have set for ourselves: a united, prosperous and purposeful nation in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges.
4. In the past four years, the majority of Nigerians have committed to Change for the Better. Indeed, this Administration was re-elected by Nigerians on a mandate to deliver positive and enduringChange – through maintaining our National Security; restoring sustainable and inclusiveEconomic Growth and Development; and fightingCorruption against all internal and external threats.
5. This Change can only be delivered if we are united in purpose, as individuals and as a nation. We must all remain committed to achieving this positive and enduring Change. As I stated four years ago, “Change does not just happen… We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust… simply put, to bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”

SECURITY:

1. Good Governance and Economic Development cannot be sustained without an enabling environment of peace and security. In the last four years, we have combatted the terrorist scourge of Boko Haram. We owe a debt of gratitude to our gallant men and women in arms, through whose efforts we have been able to achieve the present results. We are also grateful to our neighbours and allies – within the region and across the world – who have supported us on this front.
2. The capacity of our armed forces to defend our territorial integrity continues to be enhanced by the acquisition of military hardware as well as continued improvements in the working conditions of our service men and women.
3. The Ministry of Police Affairs has been resuscitated to oversee the development and implementation of strategies to enhance internal security. My recent assent to the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act has created a legal framework to support our Police with increased fiscal resources to enhance their law enforcement capabilities.
4. These initiatives are being complemented by the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to arrest the incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes across our nation.
5. We remain equally resolute in our efforts to combat militant attacks on our oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta and accelerate the Ogoni Clean-up to address long-standing environmental challenges in that region.
6. The recent redeployment of the Niger Delta Development Commission from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs underscores our commitment to enhance the living standards of our communities in the Niger Delta, through coordinated and appropriate programmes.
7. Our attention is increasingly being focused on cyber-crimes and the abuse of technology through hate speech and other divisive material being propagated on social media. Whilst we uphold the Constitutional rights of our people to freedom of expression and association, where the purported exercise of these rights infringes on the rights of other citizens or threatens to undermine our National Security, we will take firm and decisive action.
8. In this regard, I reiterate my call for all to exercise restraint, tolerance and mutual respect in airing their grievances and frustrations. Whilst the ongoing national discourse on various political and religious issues is healthy and welcome, we must not forget the lessons of our past – lessons that are most relevant on a day such as this.
9. The path of hatred and distrust only leads to hostility and destruction. I believe that the vast majority of Nigerians would rather tread the path of peace and prosperity, as we continue to uphold and cherish our unity. ACCELERATING SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY GROWTH
10. This Administration inherited a skewed economy, where the Oil Sector comprised only 8% of Gross Domestic Product but contributed 70% of government revenue and 90%foreign exchange earnings over the years. Past periods of relatively high economic growth were driven by our reliance on Oil Sector revenues to finance our demand for imported goods and services. Regrettably, previous governments abandoned the residual Investment-driven Non-Oil Sector, which constituted 40%of Gross Domestic Product and comprised agriculture, livestock, agro-processing, arts, entertainment, mining and manufacturing activities that provide millions of jobs for able-bodied Nigerians and utilizelocally available raw materials and labour for production.
11. To address this imbalance, our commitment to achieving economic diversification has been at the heart of our economic strategies under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, which I launched on the 5thof April, 2017.
12. This medium-term development plan charted the trajectory for our economy to exit from recession and return to the path of sustainable, diversified and inclusive growth for Nigerians. Pursuant to these reforms, the economy has recovered and we have had 9 successive quarters of growth since our exit from recession. The exchange rate in the last 3 years has remained stable, with robust reserves of US$42.5 billion, up from US$23 billion in October 2016.
13. Learning from the mistakes of the past, this Administration is committed to responsibly managing our oil wealth endowments. We will continue to prudently save our oil income and invest more in the non-oil job-creating sectors.
14. In this regard, we are significantly increasing investments in critical infrastructure. Last year, capital releases only commenced with the approval of the Budget in June 2018. However, as at 20thJune this year, up to N1.74 trillion had been released for capital projects in the 2018 fiscal year.
15. Implementation of the 2019 Capital Budget, which was only approved in June 2019, will be accelerated to ensure that critical priority projects are completed or substantially addressed. The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has been directed to release N600 billion for Capital Expenditure in the next 3 months.
16. To maximise impact, we shall continue to increasingly welcome and encourage private capital for infrastructural development through Public Private Partnerships. Through the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, which I initiated in January this year, we are giving incentives to private sector inflow of over N205 billionin 19 Nigerian roads and bridges of 794.4km across in 11 States of the Federation.
17. As we push to diversify the economy, we still remain focused on optimizing the revenues generated from the oil and gas sector. We will, working with the Legislature, soon pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and amendments to the Deep Offshore Act and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Actinto law, to ensure Government obtains a fair share of oil revenues, whilst encouraging private sector investment.
18. We will also continue our fight against illegal bunkering of crude oil and the smuggling of refined petroleum products across our borders, including the diligent prosecution and conviction of offenders found guilty of these acts. Whilst Nigeria remains committed to free and fair continental and international trade, we will not hesitate to take all necessary steps to tackle illegal smuggling, transshipment and other predatory trade practices that destroy jobs in our country.
19. We are resolute in reforming the power sector. In August this year, we launched the Presidential Power Initiative to modernize the National Grid in 3 phases: starting from 5 Gigawatts to 7 Gigawatts, then to 11 Gigawatts by 2023, and finally 25 Gigawatts afterwards. This programme, in partnership with the German Government and Siemens, will provide end-to-end electrification solutions that will resolve our transmission and distribution challenges.
20. The programme will also look to localize the development and assembly of smart meters as well as the operations and maintenance capabilities of transmission and distribution infrastructure.
21. I am pleased with the improved inter-agency collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the regulators in the banking and power sectors to ensure that electricity sales, billings and collections are automated and become cashless.
22. These initiatives are important to ensure that the technical and collection losses in the sector are substantially reduced. I remain confident that Nigerians will have affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply in the not too distant future.
23. Our efforts to improve the power sector will complement other infrastructure investments projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, which is investing in the Mambilla Power Plant project, as well as key economic road infrastructure such as the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano Expressway. The first set of these projects remain on track to be completed by 2022.
24. Our journey to food security and self-sufficiency is well underway. We have made remarkable progress in almost all segments of the agriculture value chain, from fertilizers to rice, to animal feed production. We shall sustain these policies to ensure additional investments are channeled, thereby creating more jobs in the sector. We must not go back to the days of importing food and thereby exporting jobs.
25. Our commitment to achieving macroeconomic stability and economic diversification, has been underscored by the merger of the Ministry of Finance with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
26. This combined Ministry has the important mandate to enhance the management of domestic and global fiscal risks; coordinate policies with the trade and monetary authorities; raise and deploy revenues to fund budgeted expenditure; and integrate annual budgets and medium-term fiscal strategies.
27. With this, our revenue-generating and reporting agencies will come under much greater scrutiny, going forward, as the new performance management framework will reward exceptional revenue performance, while severe consequences will attend failures to achieve agreed revenue targets.
28. I recently constituted an Economic Advisory Council to advise me on inclusive and sustainable macroeconomic, fiscal and monetary policies. This independent body will work with relevant Cabinet members and the heads of key monetary, fiscal and trade agencies to ensure we remain on track as we strive for collective prosperity. However, we are also committed to ensure that the inconvenience associated with any painful policy adjustments, is moderated, such that the poor and the vulnerable, who are most at risk, do not bear the brunt.
29. Our ongoing N500 billionSpecial Intervention Programme continues to target these vulnerable groups, through the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment Programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, loans for traders and artisans, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and social housing scheme.
30. To institutionalize these impactful programmes, we created the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development which shall consolidate and build on our achievements to date. To the beneficiaries of these programmes, I want to reassure you that our commitment to social inclusion will only increase.
31. Our population growth rate remains amongst the highest in the world, presenting both challenges as well as opportunities. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we provide adequate resources to meet the basic needs of our teeming youth.
32. Accordingly, we shall continue to invest in education, health, water and sanitation, as well as food security, to ensure that their basic needs are met, while providing them with every opportunity to live peaceful, prosperous and productive lives.

FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND RESTORING GOOD GOVERNANCE:

1. On fighting corruption, our institutional reforms to enforce the Treasury Single Account policy, introduce the Whistle-blowers’ Initiative, expand the coverage of the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System as well as the Government Integrated Management Information System have saved billions of Naira over the last four years, and deterred the rampant theft and mismanagement of public funds that have plagued our public service.
2. The Ministry of Justice, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will continue to address this menace. We are determined to ensure that transparency and good governance are institutionalized in public service.
3. We must commit to installing a culture of Good Governance in all we do. This Administration has fought against corruption, by investigating and prosecuting those accused of embezzlement and the misuse of public resources. We have empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled detailed databases of evidence, traced the proceeds of crimes and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds.
4. Furthermore, we partnered with our friends abroad to combat tax evasion, smuggling, terrorism and illicit financial flows. In June 2018, I assented to the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, to provide a domestic legal framework for obtaining international assistance in criminal matters.
5. This measure has already strengthened our law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence, investigating suspects and facilitating the recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of property implicated as proceeds of crime.
6. An example is the US$300 million recently identified as part of the Abacha money-laundering case, working closely with the Government of the United States of America. The Federal Ministry of Justice is working with the US Department of Justice to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding to expedite the repatriation of these funds.
7. The P & ID Arbitral Award has underscored the manner in which significant economic damage has been caused by the past activities of a few corrupt and unpatriotic Nigerians.
8. The policies that we are putting in place today are to ensure such criminal and unpatriotic acts do not go without consequences. Our renewed partnership with the 9thNational Assembly will facilitate the swift passage of enabling laws that will institutionalize these anti-corruption efforts in our criminal justice system.
9. In this connection, I call upon our States to intensify their own efforts to instill greater fiscal transparency and accountability. And to ensure greater fiscal efficiency and optimum use of our very scarce resources.
10. The blight of Corruption is fighting back. Nevertheless, this is a battle that we shall see through and this is a war, which we shall win by the Grace of God.
11. I will also call upon all Nigerians, from every walk of life, to combat Corruption at every turn. By choosing to question and confront corrupt practices, by reporting unethical practices or through whistleblowing. Together, we can overcome corruption and will no longer be a country defined by corruption.
12. Fellow Nigerians, let me reiterate my call for unity across our dear nation.
13. Nigeria will emerge from our present challenges stronger and more resilient than ever – but only if all of us join hands to entrench Good Governance, foster Inclusive Economic Development, and defend and protect our Nation from all those who would wish us ill.
14. I thank you most sincerely and wish you a Happy Independence Anniversary.
15. May God bless you all, and may He continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has felicitated with the people of Oyo State and Nigerians in general on the occasion of the nation’s 59th independence anniversary.

In a message by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, Governor Makinde called for renewed patriotism, perseverance and prayers to enable the country to wade through the myriads of socio-economic challenges currently facing the people.

He implored the people of Oyo State to continue to stand with his government in its avowed determination to deliver good governance and uplift the standards of living in the Pacesetter state.

Governor Makinde promised that the hope and faith people reposed in his administration would not be in vain.

Iyabo Adebisi

The 9th National Assembly is concerned with enacting people’s oriented laws that will facilitate rapid growth of the country.

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndidi Elumelu stated this while speaking with newsmen in Akure.

Elumelu, who was at the inauguration thanksgiving of a member representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency, Mr Adedayo Omolafe, said the lawmakers would protect the interest of the masses irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliations.

In a remark, Mr Adedayo Omolafe, popularly known as ‘Expensive’, disclosed that poverty alleviation at the grassroots was topmost on his development agenda for the people.

A clergyman, Pastor Samuel Adelabu of Knowledge of Christ Ministry, Akure, cautioned political office holders against formulating retrogressive and anti – people policies .

Dignitaries who attended the event included, PDP State Chairman, Mr Clement Faboyede, former governorship candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede and Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru, who enjoined the legislature to always be on the side of the masses.

Leke Adegbite

Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to making life meaningful to the masses through provision of sound education, health policies and good security network.

 Governor Seyi Makinde stated this at a Thanksgiving service to commemorate Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary held at Saint Peter’s Anglican church Aremo Ibadan.

 The Oyo State helmsman, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs olubamiwo Adeosun, noted that the administration would do all within its capability to ease the problems of the masses.

In a remark, provost of the church, The Very Reverend Andrew Adebiyi, who tagged the title of his message for this year’s independence celebration as ‘Righteousness exalts a nation’, charged all political office holders be honest in all they do.

The very Reverend Adebiyi emphasized that in order for a nation to move forward, intelligence and integrity should be the watchword.

Lilian Ibomor

Nigeria has been faced with a lot of ups and downs in its 59th independence experience.

In this special report, correspondent Kayode Animasaun examines the pains and gains of independence, the Southwest perspective.

His report.

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after his engagements at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74), in New York, USA, on Saturday morning, a day ahead of schedule.

The president was initially scheduled to return to Abuja on Sunday morning.

However, the presidential aircraft carrying the president, his aides and some members of his entourage landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja early Saturday morning.

The president’s decision to return home was informed by the fact that he was able to complete all his official engagements in time.

The president, who left Abuja on Sept. 22 for New York, participated actively in the main and High Side Events of the UNGA74.

The first official engagement of Buhari at the UNGA74 was on Monday in New York where he addressed the United Nations Climate Action Summit with the theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.”

At the event, Buhari announced robust plans and initiatives by his administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria.

While sharing the sentiment expressed by the UN Secretary-General that the world is on the verge of climate catastrophe, President Buhari stated that ”undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.”

The president had on Sept. 24 presented the country’s National Statement as the fifth speaker on the first day of the General Debate during the UNGA74 where he among other issues alerted the world on attempts by international criminal groups to cheat Nigeria of billions.

While at the UNGA74, the president also participated in high-level side events on Water and Sanitation as well as ‘SDG Integration – Bridging the Policy Planning – Budgeting Gap for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.’

On Sept. 26, the president presented an address at the High-Level National Side-Event organised by the African Union Development Agency and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).

President Buhari also held several bilateral meetings with world leaders, international organisations, world business gurus and Nigerian Youths Climate Group before departing New York on Friday.

FRCN Abuja