Nigeria is committed to ending attacks by militant Islamists in the north-east of the country and making the region “safe for all”, President Muhammadu Buhari has said in his speech marking the 58th anniversary of independence from British rule.
He said that it was “a day of celebration and solemn reflection”.
He paid tribute to the victims of militant group Boko Haram and praised the armed forces for “working under the most difficult conditions”.
“We know that the goals of the Boko Haram terrorists include capturing territories, destroying our democracy and denying our children the right to education. We will not allow them to succeed,” he vowed.
Mr Buhari, who is seeking re-election next year, also spoke of how his administration is tackling environmental pollution, corruption, and the economic crisis.
“Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or short cuts. These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation,” he said.