With the Golden jubilee behind, Nigeria now en-route to its first statehood centennial
One of the major diplomatic and social events in October was the commemoration of the Nigerian National Day. Typically, the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow brought together on October 1 a galaxy of top Russian political and business leaders, key members of the international Diplomatic Corps as well as other friends and well-wishers to mark the 51st anniversary of the ‘giant of Africa’s independence, thus starting the countdown to its first nationhood centennial due in 2060 as a major sovereign modern state.
“Today, Nigeria marks yet another milestone in its determined journey towards building a nation with political stability, sustained economic growth and socio-cultural progress.”
Addressing the colorful gathering at the UpDK diplomatic Cultural Center premises in southern Moscow, His Excellency, Major-General (Rtd) Timothy Mai Shelpidi — the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Nigeria to Russia, with concurrent ambassadorial accreditations to Belarus and Georgia — noted that Nigeria, following the high-profile celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of its independence both at home and in its foreign missions across the globe last year, today marks yet another milestone in its steady and determined journey towards building a nation characterized by political stability, sustained economic growth, socio-cultural progress and upliftment of its citizens’ common good. “Since 1999, when democracy was firmly consolidated in our country, the transition from one democratically elected government to another has become a smooth and hitch-free process,” he added. “This culminated in the successful conduction of the presidential and general elections in May this year that ushered in the present government under the able leadership of President Goodluck E. Jonathan.”
The ambassador specifically noted the positive gains from the ongoing democratization processes in the country, a trend evident in the fact that citizens today are enjoying the dividends of sustained civil rule after decades of military dictatorship that are manifested through the respect for the rule of law, good governance, accountability, functional state institutions as well as respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, etc. “Nigeria under the effective leadership of President Jonathan is poised to move to greater heights through a comprehensive economic transformation agenda anchored on the National Vision-2020,” he added. “This agenda is aimed at making Nigeria one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020. With the current annual GDP growth rate of over 8.7%, and a conducive investment climate, we are certain that the attainment of the National Vision-2020 is an achievable target.”
The ambassador has attributed his confidence and highly contagious optimism to the enormous human and natural resources endowment of Nigeria, which has been, and still remains, the best destination for foreign direct investments, both within the West African Sub-Region, and indeed, the entire continent. “I, therefore, would like to use this opportunity to call on investors from Russia, the other CIS states and indeed, from all over the world, to redirect their overseas-bound capital and other forms foreign investments to the various lucrative sectors of the Nigerian economy,” he noted. “Such potential investors will have direct accesses to the full advantages of the government’s generous incentives, such as tax holidays, full return on investments and unregulated home remittances as well as to the privileges of different forms and formats of public and private partnerships, amongst others, aimed at fostering accelerated development of infrastructures and other aspects of the economy.”
“The ‘National Vision-2020’ agenda is aimed at making Nigeria one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020, a realistic mission, given the country’s current GDP growth rate.”
His Excellency also noted that the country’s current leadership is fully mindful of the obvious challenges facing the nation, as it consolidates the gains from democracy and works assiduously towards the realization of the Nigerian dream. “Nigeria, like any other country in contemporary times, currently faces the challenges of unemployment, poverty, diseases, food security, poor infrastructures, terrorism, etc.,” he noted. “However, our government is living no stone unturned to ensure that these challenges are completely surmounted in order to move the country forward. In this regard, the occasional and unavoidable incidences of religious disturbances and ethnic clashes are being effectively addressed and managed,” he added. “The internal security apparatus has been strengthened to deal with such disturbances and other isolated outbreaks of violence against state interests and innocent civil population, as the government will not relent in its efforts to ensure full security of lives and property for its citizens and foreigners alike, at all times.”
Rounding up his speech, the ambassador noted that the occasion of the 51st anniversary is a moment for reflection about the past as well as also for mapping out new policy strategies to move the country ahead on its nation-building mission. “Therefore, I would like to use this opportunity to call on all friends of Nigeria in Russia, and indeed, all over the globe, to join hands with us as we strive to build a virile, strong and democratic nation, where democracy, accountability, transparency, good governance and equal rights are the hallmarks and driving principles of government policy.”
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