5 key points from President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech to celebrate 2020 Democracy Day

5 key points from President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech to celebrate 2020 Democracy Day

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, June 12, 2020 address Nigerians in a speech to celebrate the national Democracy day.

Here are 5 important things to note from the President’s speech.

1 The President expressed his condolence to Nigerians enduring the hardship and loss of loved ones caused by the deadly Coronavirus outbreak.

2 The President talked about the stability of the economy

*  Witnessing eleven quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession

* The GDP grew from 1.91% in 2018 to 2.27% in 2019 but declined to 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020

* The external reserves grew from $33.42 billion on April 29th 2020 to about $36.00 billion in May, 2020

3 The President addressed issues regarding power stating projects ongoing to solve electricity problems.

a. Alaoji to Onitsha, Delta Power Station to Benin and Kaduna to Kano;

b. 330kv DC 62km line between Birnin Kebbi and Kamba;

c. Lagos/Ogun Transmission Infrastructure Project;

d. Abuja Transmission Ring Scheme; and

e. Northern Corridor Transmission Project.

4 The President talked about the increase in outcry of rape victims stating the goal of his administration to deal with the situation.

He said, “Nigerian women remain a particular treasure to this nation and for this reason this Administration has continued to give them a place of pride in the affairs of our country.

“I salute your courage, enterprise and resilience as well as your contributions to national development. I wish to assure all our women of this administration’s determination to fight Gender Based Violence through the instrumentality of the law and awareness creation.

“I am particularly upset at recent incidents of rape especially of very young girls. The Police are pursuing these cases with a view to bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to swift justice.”

FG declares Friday, June 12, as public holiday to mark 2020 Democracy Day

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5 The President talked about the fight against Anti-Corruption and the loots recovered.

He said, “Similarly, we have strengthened auditing and accountability mechanisms so as to ensure that rules and regulations are followed strictly.

“Anti-Corruption Agencies have secured more than 1,400 convictions and also recovered funds in excess of N800 billion. These monies are being ploughed into development and infrastructure projects.

“The Public Service of Nigeria remains the bedrock for the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects in the country. This accounts for why it continues to evolve especially as new socio-economic challenges emerge for Government to address.

“I will continue to give all the necessary support for the on-going reforms designed to return discipline, integrity and patriotism as the hallmark of the public service.

“In the face of dwindling resources and rising cost of governance, I have authorized that the White Paper on the Rationalisation of Government Parastatals and Agencies be reviewed for implementation.