[FULL TEXT] President Buhari’s June 12, 2021 Democracy Day Speech

*Says Military Heat Scattering Insurgents Across Country
*Says Administration To Play Critical Role In Constitution
Amendment
*Says “My Administration Has Lifted 10.5 Million People Out Of
Poverty”

President Muhammadu Buhari says insurgents, hitherto terrorising
the Northeast have penetrated the country further from their
initial spots of operations.

The President, who disclosed this in his Democracy Day message
to Nigerians this morning, however, assured citizens that the
challenge would be surmounted, explaining that the pressure mounted
on the insurgents by the nation’s security forces led to their
fleeing from the Northeast to other parts of the country.

He expressed disappointment that some unscrupulous Nigerians,
who believe that the administration would be restrained from
catching up with them as a result of some certain gags of
democratic practice, have been exploiting the situation to
profiteers.

He noted though that the administration had already commenced
processes of addressing the obstacles, adding that the culprits
would be made to answer for their crimes.

Below read the full 
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT
AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF
DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021

Fellow Nigerians,

I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy
Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people,
one country and one Nigeria.

2. As with all democracies we will always be going through
   improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature
   democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation state to be
   reckoned with globally.
3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good
   number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations
   especially relating to our collective security.
4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained
   us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind
   us.
5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of
   violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear
   compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure,
   including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.
6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt
   condolences to the families and friends of our gallant service men
   and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a
   sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our
   country men, women and children who were unfortunate victims of
   such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.
8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of
   ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went through unimaginable
   trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.
9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however
   minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order
   security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring
   perpetrators to justice.

Fellow Nigerians,

10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so
    knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity,
    especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended
    consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them
    further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing
    with.
11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges
    too.
12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian
    criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and
    profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to
    the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally
    and decisively tackling them.
13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon
    bring some of these culprits to justice.
14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers
    of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.
15. Interventions led by Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria
    driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly
    to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health
    care sectors of the economy.
16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers
    Programme resulted in sharp decline in the nation’s major food
    import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end
    of 2018.
17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million
    annually.
18. This initiative supported local production of rice, maize,
    cotton and cassava. Government financed 2.5 million small-holder
    farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over
    the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.
19. Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium
    Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation
    Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774
    Local Governments.
20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility
    financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs
    across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and
    indirect jobs.
21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility
    increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly
    90%.
22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the
    COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed.
    The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has
    recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth
    in Q1 2021.
23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters;
    Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of a successful execution of
    the ESP by the Federal Government.
24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty
    in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the
    National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of
    the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking
    part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable
    households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723
    wards and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.
25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6
    million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8
    million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per
    household.
26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction
    with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further
    reduce poverty in Nigeria.
27. As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had
    disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs,
    through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that
    57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.
28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our
    infrastructure development through sensible and transparent
    borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing
    revenue through capturing more tax bases and prudent management of
    investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Fellow Nigerians,

29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects
    attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure
    Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan
    Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a
    world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on
    Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.
31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard
    gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after
    construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line
    which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.
32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key
    to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian.
    Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up
    opportunities for the Nigerian economy.
33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a
    Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the
    Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny
    Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port and Warri Deep Sea port will
    create massive job opportunities and foreign investment
    inflows.
34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to
    success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a
    first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker
    operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG
    ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.
35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in
    ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am
    also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project –
    which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection
    Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is
    designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our
    maritime sector.

Dear Nigerians,

36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and
    achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much
    more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce
    resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently
    outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our
    over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of
    poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of
    poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and
    the like.
38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and
    this informed the development of a National poverty Reduction with
    Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy
    will be unveiled shortly.
39. In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced
    COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.
40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in
    balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all
    living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of
    pro-active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is
    globally acclaimed.
41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did
    not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to
    continue sustaining their livelihoods.
42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians
    using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000
    beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and
    provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.
43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric
    tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to
    the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.
44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5%
    for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345
    beneficiaries.

Fellow Nigerians,

45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day
    from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to
    honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who
    fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our
    commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the people and creating an
    environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.
46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling
    environment for a free, fair and credible electoral system under my
    tenure.
47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any
    level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and
    not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from
    your elected leaders.
48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture
    remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and
    my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every
    one of us has never been stronger.
49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us,
    Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of
    marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among
    various segments of our population.
50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as
    part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that
    the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with
    the National Assembly.
51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government
    responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the
    preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a
    way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.
52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the
    constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the
    National Assembly in this regard.
53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we
    are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.
54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary
    process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out
    stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay
    down my life for Nigeria.
55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and
    defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.
56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive
    Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all
    within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the
    people remain the primary purpose of government.
57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies
    with all they require relative to available resources and will be
    providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security
    problems.
58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that
    we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our
    country one.
59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more
    importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the
    country of our dream.

Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.

*Says Military Heat Scattering Insurgents Across Country
*Says Administration To Play Critical Role In Constitution
Amendment
*Says “My Administration Has Lifted 10.5 Million People Out Of
Poverty”

President Muhammadu Buhari says insurgents, hitherto terrorising
the Northeast have penetrated the country further from their
initial spots of operations.

The President, who disclosed this in his Democracy Day message
to Nigerians this morning, however, assured citizens that the
challenge would be surmounted, explaining that the pressure mounted
on the insurgents by the nation’s security forces led to their
fleeing from the Northeast to other parts of the country.

He expressed disappointment that some unscrupulous Nigerians,
who believe that the administration would be restrained from
catching up with them as a result of some certain gags of
democratic practice, have been exploiting the situation to
profiteers.

He noted though that the administration had already commenced
processes of addressing the obstacles, adding that the culprits
would be made to answer for their crimes.

Below read the full 
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT
AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF
DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021

Fellow Nigerians,

I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy
Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people,
one country and one Nigeria.

2. As with all democracies we will always be going through
   improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature
   democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation state to be
   reckoned with globally.
3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good
   number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations
   especially relating to our collective security.
4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained
   us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind
   us.
5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of
   violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear
   compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure,
   including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.
6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt
   condolences to the families and friends of our gallant service men
   and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a
   sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our
   country men, women and children who were unfortunate victims of
   such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.
8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of
   ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went through unimaginable
   trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.
9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however
   minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order
   security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring
   perpetrators to justice.

Fellow Nigerians,

10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so
    knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity,
    especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended
    consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them
    further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing
    with.
11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges
    too.
12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian
    criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and
    profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to
    the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally
    and decisively tackling them.
13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon
    bring some of these culprits to justice.
14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers
    of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.
15. Interventions led by Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria
    driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly
    to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health
    care sectors of the economy.
16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers
    Programme resulted in sharp decline in the nation’s major food
    import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end
    of 2018.
17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million
    annually.
18. This initiative supported local production of rice, maize,
    cotton and cassava. Government financed 2.5 million small-holder
    farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over
    the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.
19. Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium
    Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation
    Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774
    Local Governments.
20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility
    financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs
    across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and
    indirect jobs.
21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility
    increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly
    90%.
22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the
    COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed.
    The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has
    recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth
    in Q1 2021.
23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters;
    Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of a successful execution of
    the ESP by the Federal Government.
24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty
    in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the
    National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of
    the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking
    part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable
    households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723
    wards and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.
25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6
    million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8
    million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per
    household.
26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction
    with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further
    reduce poverty in Nigeria.
27. As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had
    disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs,
    through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that
    57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.
28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our
    infrastructure development through sensible and transparent
    borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing
    revenue through capturing more tax bases and prudent management of
    investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Fellow Nigerians,

29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects
    attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure
    Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan
    Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a
    world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on
    Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.
31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard
    gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after
    construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line
    which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.
32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key
    to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian.
    Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up
    opportunities for the Nigerian economy.
33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a
    Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the
    Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny
    Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port and Warri Deep Sea port will
    create massive job opportunities and foreign investment
    inflows.
34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to
    success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a
    first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker
    operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG
    ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.
35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in
    ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am
    also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project –
    which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection
    Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is
    designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our
    maritime sector.

Dear Nigerians,

36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and
    achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much
    more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce
    resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently
    outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our
    over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of
    poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of
    poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and
    the like.
38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and
    this informed the development of a National poverty Reduction with
    Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy
    will be unveiled shortly.
39. In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced
    COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.
40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in
    balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all
    living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of
    pro-active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is
    globally acclaimed.
41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did
    not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to
    continue sustaining their livelihoods.
42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians
    using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000
    beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and
    provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.
43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric
    tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to
    the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.
44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5%
    for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345
    beneficiaries.

Fellow Nigerians,

45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day
    from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to
    honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who
    fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our
    commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the people and creating an
    environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.
46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling
    environment for a free, fair and credible electoral system under my
    tenure.
47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any
    level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and
    not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from
    your elected leaders.
48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture
    remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and
    my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every
    one of us has never been stronger.
49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us,
    Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of
    marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among
    various segments of our population.
50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as
    part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that
    the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with
    the National Assembly.
51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government
    responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the
    preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a
    way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.
52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the
    constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the
    National Assembly in this regard.
53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we
    are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.
54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary
    process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out
    stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay
    down my life for Nigeria.
55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and
    defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.
56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive
    Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all
    within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the
    people remain the primary purpose of government.
57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies
    with all they require relative to available resources and will be
    providing more as the dynamics unfold to put an end to our security
    problems.
58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that
    we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our
    country one.
59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more
    importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the
    country of our dream.

Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.