President Muhammadu Buhari said he shares Nigerians' agony over ongoing issues on the country's 62nd Independence Day.
His administration delivered most of the promises he made to Nigerians in 2015 and 2019.
The solemn President said he is eternally thankful to Nigerians for electing him to handle the country's affairs after many difficulties and disappointments. He also regretted that this will be his last independence day speech as President.
Buhari said his administration will not relent in de-escalating the security challenges that confronted Nigeria at the start of his administration. “Newer forms alien to our country began to manifest especially in the areas of kidnappings, molestations/killings of innocent citizens, banditry,” he said.
He said, "I share the pains Nigerians are going through, and I tell you that your perseverance and patience will not be in vain as this administration works to reposition and reinforce the security services to handle all security concerns."
In 2015, at the start of his administration, he supplied the security agencies with funding, which he improved in 2019 to help them overcome security issues.
"We'll keep going until we succeed.
"I address you today with heartfelt gratitude to God and appreciation to all Nigerians, whose goodwill afforded me the opportunity to lead our wonderful country during one of her most trying moments.
"Conscious that today's Independence Day address will be my last as your President, I speak to the millions of Nigerians who believed in me, propelled and stood by me in my mission to bequeath a country where all people have equal opportunity to realize their life desires in a peaceful atmosphere.
"My place in Nigeria's history is no secret. The majority of Nigerians made my attempts, failures, and eventual success in 2015 possible.
“When you elected me, I immediately understood that the responsibilities before me were onerous but surmountable because of the emerging national agreement that democracy was our chosen route to national development,” an emotional Buhari said.
His type of democracy is based on a clear understanding, application, and separation of powers, reinforced by a reformed public service.
I then promised to develop the economy, battle corruption and insecurity, and bring 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years as the centerpiece of my second term in 2019.
We've made progress thanks to God's grace and the determination and passion of many Nigerians, but we're not there yet.