Fellow Nigerians,
1. I greet and rejoice with you all as we celebrate the advent of a new year.
2.
I join you all in giving thanks to God Almighty for bringing us and our
beloved nation safely through the past year to the beginning of 2013
which, by His Grace, will be a much better year for us and our country.
3.
In keeping with tradition, it is usual for individuals, institutions
and organizations to make resolutions and set agenda as a new year
begins, to guide their actions in the coming months.
4.
I have already given a clear indication of the Federal Government’s
agenda for 2013 in recent pronouncements. Our objective for the year is
to ensure by all possible means that more of the programmes and projects
envisioned by this administration, and which are already being embarked
upon are further brought on stream within the next 12 months to meet
the yearnings of our people, and raise the quality of life.
5. We
have in the last year achieved a lot in terms of the positive
transformation of vital sectors of our national life such as public
infrastructure, power supply, oil and gas, transportation, education,
health and agricultural development. We will continue to work diligently
in 2013 to ensure that our efforts in these areas are carried forward
to full fruition in fulfillment of our promise of better public services
and improved living conditions for all Nigerians.
6. We will give
priority attention in the coming year to flood and erosion control, the
rehabilitation and expansion of existing federal roads, improved power
supply, as well as the continued rehabilitation, upgrading and
reactivation of the national rail network.
7. Employment
generation and wealth creation will also remain a primary objective of
our socio-economic agenda for 2013. Creating more employment
opportunities for our youth and graduates of our universities is an
imperative that will continue to underpin our drive for massive economic
growth, the rapid expansion of our manufacturing and industrial base,
and the productive diversification of our national economy. In this
regard, we will continue to provide the necessary enabling environment
for the private sector to thrive.
8. As peace and security remain
pre-requisite conditions for the full realization of our objectives, we
will also do more in 2013 to further empower our security agencies who
are working in collaborative partnerships with our friends in the
international community to stem the scourge of terrorism in our country
and enhance the security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria.
9.
I also want to assure Nigerians that we will refuse to be discouraged
by those who have taken it upon themselves to pick on every initiative
and effort of this administration. We remain resolutely committed to the
rule of law, due process and fair play in all circumstances. Our
democracy continues to grow, and the scope for human freedom continues
to expand. It is an achievement that we will continue to build upon.
10. I say it again, we are determined to continue to push forward. We will do more, not less. We will remain focused.
11.For
your part, dear compatriots, I urge that you all include in your new
year resolutions a commitment to do more this year to support the
implementation of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National
Transformation in every possible way. That is all I ask for.
12.
The task of making our dear nation a much better place for present and
future generations cannot be left to government alone. Leaders and
followers alike have critical roles to play in our march towards the
fulfillment of our great national potentials.
13. Let us all
therefore resolve as we celebrate the new year to place the higher
interests of national unity, peace, stability and progress above all
other considerations and work harder in our particular fields of human
endeavour to contribute more significantly to the attainment of our
collective aspirations.
14. I wish you all a happy and rewarding 2013.
15. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
January 01, 2013
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