The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday delivered a nationwide address to mark democracy day.
The acting president started by bringing good wishes from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who is away from the country on medical vacation.
Osinbajo went ahead to paint the sorry state of the Army under the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram.
“Our administration outlined three specific areas for our immediate intervention on assumption of office: these were Security, Corruption and the Economy.
“In the Northeast of our country, the terrorist group Boko Haram openly challenged the sovereignty and continued existence of the state, killing, maiming, and abducting, causing the displacement of the largest number of our citizens in recent history. Beyond the North East they extended their mindless killings, as far away as Abuja, Kano And Kaduna.
“But with new leadership and renewed confidence our gallant military immediately began to put Boko Haram on the back foot. We have restored broken-down relations with our neighbours, Chad, Cameroon and Niger – allies without whom the war against terror would have been extremely difficult to win.
“We have re-organized and equipped our Armed Forces, and inspired them to heroic feats; we have also revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force, by providing the required funding and leadership.
“The positive results are clear for all to see. In the last two years close to one million displaced persons have returned home. 106 of our daughters from Chibok have regained their freedom, after more than two years in captivity, in addition to the thousands of other captives who have since tasted freedom.
“Schools, hospitals and businesses are springing back to life across the Northeast, especially in Borno State, the epicentre of the crisis. Farmers are returning to the farms from which they fled in the wake of Boko Haram. Finally, our people are getting a chance to begin the urgent task of rebuilding their lives.”
Osinbajo also called on Nigerians to seek legal means of solving issues, instead of taking to violence.
He concluded by saying, “Nigeria belongs to all of us. No one person or group of persons is more important or more entitled than the other in this space that we all call home. And we have a responsibility to live in peace and harmony with one another, to seek peaceful and constitutional means of expressing our wishes and desires, and to resist all who might seek to sow confusion and hatred for their own selfish interests”.
“Before I end this speech, let me ask for your continued prayers for the restoration to full health and strength and the safe return of our President”.
“I congratulate all of you on today’s commemoration of this important day in the democratic calendar our country. Nigeria is on a journey of greatness, and together we shall arrive at the destination of our dreams.”
May God bless you all, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Happy Democracy Day Nigeria, from all of us at Praiseworld Radio 600
