Posted by By LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
As Nigeria turns 47, President Umaru Yar'Adua has restated his determination to solve the pervading energy problem and put behind the erratic power supply which has become regular feature in the country's chequered history.
As Nigeria turns 47, President Umaru Yar'Adua has restated his determination to solve the pervading energy problem and put behind the erratic power supply which has become regular feature in the country's chequered history.
Fresh from his visit to the United States, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly, Yar'Adua, in a nationwide broadcast to mark the nation's 47th Independence anniversary, promised that the problem would be tackled frontally, in a holistic manner, in a determination to build steady future for the people and posterity.
'We have commenced the process of rebuilding our basic infrastructure. The energy challenge will be met in a holistic manner. We shall be guided by our national consensus for democratic governance and strengthening our democratic institutions, structures and processes. We shall, in particular, ensure that our electoral process is of the highest quality and meets international best practice", he stated.
He recalled that Nigeria had, in the last 47 years, faced monumental challenges, including fighting a civil war to keep the country together and several other setbacks, which impacted gravely on its political development, economic progress and social cohesion.
Yar'Adua pledged that his administration would do whatever would be required to rid the country of all the tendencies that had stalled its growth in the past and give it a new lease of life.
'We are entering our 48th year as a free and sovereign nation against the backdrop of a renewed hope and optimism about our nation and our future. In the short four months we have been in office, we have taken initiatives to build a steady future for ourselves and our posterity. We shall continue with unmediated dedication in our determination to check corruption, reduce poverty, grow our economy, entrench absolute respect for the rule of law, eradicate abuse of due process and create equal opportunities for all Nigerians", he further restated.
In the pursuit of his government's aspirations for the growth and development of a peaceful, strong, secure and prosperous nation, founded on the ideals of justice, equity, fairness, patriotism, and the fear of God, he said no region and no group would be relegated to the background.
He singled out the volatile Niger Delta region, giving assurance that everything would be done to secure it for growth and development while effectively tackling the criminal dimension to the problem.
The president enjoined all Nigerians to use the occasion of the independence anniversary celebration to reflect on the country's past and resolve to work together to restore the nation's cherished values of diligence, honesty, decency, transparency, selflessness and accountability in the polity.
While felicitating with Muslims on the occasion of the Ramadan, he noted: 'I made a covenant with you while soliciting for your votes that I will work towards these goals as your servant-leader. Today, I reiterate that pledge."