Saraki:Why I Didn't Attend Independent Day.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has explained his conspicuous absence at the Independence Day parade held at the Eagles Square in Abuja on Monday.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former military Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar led important government dignitaries to the event marking the 58th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from Britain.

But Saraki and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Yakubu Dogara were absent at the event, further exposing the gradually expanding gulf between the executive and the legislature.

Saraki and Dogara were elected into the National Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 but recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saraki, who currently represents Kwara Central senatorial district, has also picked the presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms of the PDP for a chance tov compete against Buhari in 2019.

Explaining his absence from the parade, Saraki said it was due to another important political assignment that kept him away from Abuja.

He said that apart from his moving around the country in a bid to secure the PDP’s presidential ticket, the governor primaries of his state held yesterday and he needed to be there.

Saraki’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu said, “The Senate President and a frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP is currently not in Abuja, he is at the moment in his home state, Kwara.

‘’The governorship primary is holding today (yesterday) in Kwara and he must be present and after that, he will be holding a meeting with Kogi State delegates to the PDP National Convention. These are two very important assignments that require his attention.”

Buhari Outlined 18 Crucial Things.

#NigeriaAt58: 18 things Buhari wants you to know as Nigeria clocks 58.

In commemoration of the 58th Independence anniversary of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari delivered a speech. Here are the highlights of his speech.

1.Today is a day of celebration and solemn reflection. It is the anniversary of the day Nigerians realised one of the most cherished of human desires – the desire for freedom

2.Ours is an ambitious nation, and, as citizens we have every right to look forward to the future with confidence and optimism which are well founded, considering where we find ourselves today.

3.We remain committed to ending the crisis and make the North East safe for all

4.I am looking into all reported cases of inadequacies in relation to their(Security and law enforcement agencies) entitlements, their welfare and those of their families.

5.We are diversifying away from reliance on oil to increased manufacturing capacity, solid minerals development, and agriculture.

6.The age-long conflict between herders and farmers that was being exploited by those seeking to plant the seeds of discord and disunity amongst our people, is being addressed decisively.

7.The consequences on lives and livelihoods of the shrinking of the Lake Chad and the pollution caused by oil exploitation activities alone make it mandatory on us to be at the forefront of the struggle for a safer and more sustainable environment.

8.The shameful past practice, of the brazen theft of billions of Naira is no more. Shady oil deals and public contracts that were never delivered have become things of the past.

9.Roads, railways, major bridges, schools, energy and power, air and sea ports, welfare of serving and retired personnel both civilian and military including payment of legacy debt such as pension arrears, have been attended to.

10.There is now an enabling environment for local and foreign investment in Nigeria. We are building a rules-based system – a level playing field that is free from fixers and intermediaries.

11.We are gradually strengthening the economy with a stable Naira and falling inflation rate.

12.These positive developments are the result of our collective pursuit of a common vision through hard work and dedication, after the missed opportunities and disappointments that followed the return to democracy in 1999

13.At the forefront, have always been our youths. They have been at the vanguard of the struggle for independence. They fought in the war to keep the country united. And it was they who kept alive the struggle for democracy and human rights in our country at times when these were at risk, especially following the June 12th 1993 election and the historic 2015 election process.

14.We support the ‘not too young to run’ legislation aimed at giving the youths greater say in our national politics and governance.

15.Never before have we faced such a challenge. We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s world of social media. We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts. Otherwise, all the progress we have made as a democracy since 1999 is at stake.

16.I have committed myself many times to ensure that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly INDEPENDENT and properly staffed and resourced.

17.Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or short cuts.

18.I want to assure you that as President, I will continue to work tirelessly to promote, protect and preserve what really matters: a united, peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, where all, irrespective of background, can aspire to succeed