Reiterating events that characterized year 2014, Goodluck Jonathan said although Nigeria contended with the challenges of nation-building and terrorism, 2014 also brought further progress and fresh opportunities.
Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land, they have made widows of our mothers and sisters, and orphans of our children.
They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship, and brought untold hardship to both men and women. I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities, they will not win. He said.
The President commended Nigerians who are vigilant and cooperative with the security agencies in the fight against terrorism, stating the government's commitment to strengthen the armed forces. "We are re-equipping and re-positioning our armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the on-going war against terror and insurgency".
He gave the assurance that the 2015 votes of all eligible voters in Nigeria will count, according to him, "Elections are very important for us as a country, their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions, and place our beloved country even more firmly in the committee of truly democratic nations.
"Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct of the fifth post military rule general elections".
"I reassure all Nigerian and international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. let us put the nation and the people first, let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and stability towards political opponents, lets us give INEC the fullest possible support and corporation it requires to conduct credible and violence free elections in 2015". he said.
President Jonathan in a firm note, warned that his administration will not tolerate what he called activities of some unpatriotic elements, who went on an orgy of violence after the 2011 free and fair elections,
"This government will act decisively against anyone who Disrupts the Public Peace before, during or after the 2015 general elections. All Nigerians of voting age, are free to vote, based on their convictions it is our duty to defend and protect the basic rights, and let no man be in doubt. He said.
On Job creation and Physical Planing And Implementation As Captured In The 2015 Budget, the President said, "Being very conscious of our over reliance on income from crude oil export for national development, we are focused on accelerating a diversification of our economy in non oil sector, which has grown by an average of 8% in the past few years, it is now a major driver of goods in our economy.
The 2015 national budget which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our effort at becoming a non -oil economy. The budget also includes measures to ensure that the down turn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans in our national economy too adversely".
Goodluck Jonathan enjoined Nigerians to march to the future, towards the attainment of a collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation.
Nigerians expect to see more of actions from this speech.
Long Live the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
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