JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Fellow Nigerians
Today, we not only celebrate democracy but also the eternal spirit of Nigeria. For 27 consecutive years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have elected their leaders through voting, witnessed the peaceful transfer of power, and resolved differences of opinion in courtrooms and legislatures—not through violence. We have experienced the longest period of civil rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies and all parties to ensure that this election is peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when people doubt the process. To the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the Press and Civil Society: You are the guardrails of our republic. Criticize me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our young generation: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
To our armed forces, police and intelligence agencies: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders: thank you for your support for peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today, we honor the resilience of Nigerians who refused to give up their faith in freedom, and their unwavering courage against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations can enjoy democracy. I salute labor leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have died and those who are still with us—for their patriotic contributions.
Although this year’s atmosphere was marred by the kidnapping of our children in Oyo and Borno, we still hope that they will return safely. Democracy without security is just a mirage. That’s why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military members. Our 2026 budget provides N5.41 trillion—the largest in our history—for defense and security. Our government is always ready to do more to keep our people safe.
We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we took down the ISWAP command center. Terror-related deaths have fallen 81% since 2015. More than 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized in the past year. However, we also keep the door open for surrender. More than 124,000 combatants and their dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
To the bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full might of the Nigerian State. This window of surrender will not be open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who traffic in the blood of Nigerians.
At times like this, let’s not blame or point fingers at each other. Crime has no ethnicity. We must unite and believe that our nation’s enemies will soon become history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous country.
June 12 holds a sacred place in our national memory. This represents more than just an election; this is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief MKO Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate without distinction of ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and many other heroes of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions they fought for. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is served, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian state. The Heroes of June 12 gained political freedom. Our challenge is to guarantee economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for young people, in the well-being of farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
The reforms we implemented were not chosen because of convenience, but because of necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe pressure, investment was hampered, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, to undertake reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues increase, so state and local governments have more resources for infrastructure, education, health care, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakages have reduced, and public funds have been better directed at national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with increased investment in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and creative industries.
Domestic refining capacity is increasing, strengthening energy security and reducing our dependence on imported petroleum products.
In 2023, when we started joining, the power sector was characterized by chronic power generation shortages, unreliable gas supplies, and a transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not dissipate available power. The distribution company was burdened by huge losses and a meter deficit of more than four million. Worst of all, these value chains are drowning in inherited debt. The result is that the sector produces less than its installed capacity of 13,500 Megawatts, a sector that transmits less than it produces, distributes less than it produces, and collects revenues well below what is needed to maintain its viability.
To address the problems plaguing the sector, I signed the Electricity Law, which gives the state the authority to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. The President’s Electricity Task Force is working hard to reduce the meter deficit. He has also been authorized to raise N4 trillion bonds to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid electricity to underserved communities, universities, markets and hospitals. Electricity is a benefit of democracy that we owe to every Nigerian. We intend to send it.
Across the country, infrastructure projects connect producers with markets and create opportunities for businesses and jobs. The National Agricultural Development Fund deployed 10,000 tractors over five years. More than 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil and gas exports grew by 21% last year.
However, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, increasing food production, creating jobs, raising living standards, rebuilding confidence in the economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.
We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is to accelerate growth and ensure the benefits are felt in every home, every community and every region. We believe that Democracy should be felt in the pocket.
Recognizing that democracy is undermined when communities do not feel the impact, my government has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. The fundamental challenge for the progress of our nation is the ineffectiveness of regional government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly caused by the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Each generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers had achieved independence—the June 12 generation had guaranteed democracy. Our generation must ensure prosperity.
Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and faith. Let us build a Nigeria united by common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, freedom is assured, and opportunity abounds.
READ ALSO: Let’s unite against terrorism, banditry, Tinubu urges residents
Among the architects of Nigeria’s modern democracy, we honor General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contribution, the Federal Government has approved the revitalization and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, to the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
I am also pleased to announce national honors to the following Nigerians, who endured persecution, endured humiliation, exile, detention, and, at times, confinement in solitary confinement, so that we have the democracy we have today.
Attorney Ayoka Lawani
Tunde Fagbenle
Oladele Alake
Olatunji Bello
Louis Odion
Segun Babatope
Sam Omatseye
Mr Ademola Osinubi
Bolawole
Lade Bonuola
Femi Kusa
Debo Adeniran
Chairman Ayo Opadokun
Chief Ralph Obiora
Ose Osayande
Director of Osa Lawyers
Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
Dr Osagie Obayuwana
Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin
Attorney Titus Mann
Joe Igbokwe
Richard Akinnola
Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
George Mbah
Dr Niran Malaolu
Major General Ishola Williams (rtd)
Femi Aborisade
Jenkins Alumona
Gbemiga Ogunleye
Muyiwa Adekeye
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
Ike Okonta
We also recognize the soldier-democrats in the struggle of June 12:
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed;
Colonel Sambo Dasuki;
Colonel Lawan Gwadabe;
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Colonel Musa Shehu;
Major General Chris Eze;
Major General Harris Dzarma;
Colonel Isa Jibrin;
Major General Joseph Oshanupin;
Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Colonel J Okai;
Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze;
Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, Current Etsu Nupe who already holds the title of CFR.
The awards list will be released in the next few days.
Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, diversity underpins our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminded us: Nigerians have not given up hope. We bend, we bleed, but we are not broken.
Let us renew our covenant: So that the hard work of the heroes of the past will never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, will not perish from this land.
May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.
Happy Democracy Day.
AHMED TINUBU BALL, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria
