President Muhammad Buhari has announced the change of the name of the National Stadium, Abuja to MKO Abiola Stadium.
Buhari made this pronouncement during his speech at the Demomcracy Day celebration on Wednesday at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
June 12 was signed into law on Monday as Democracy Day as a mark of honour to Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential eleelcton.
Highlights of the President’s speech at the occasion included the issue of infrastructure provision to rural areas to engender micro-economy in the country.
Buhari also pledged to continue the fight against corruption, insecurity and economic development, adding that “we will enshrine a Nigeria that works for Nigerians and not just a few people” during his second tenure.
He promised taking 100 million Nigerians from poverty to prosperity in the next 10 years.
The President said that his administration would ensure rapid and positive growth in the economy to move Nigeria away from poverty.
“Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2.7 per cent this year.
“Our external reserve have risen to 45 billion dollars enough to finance over nine months of current equal commitments.
“This administration has laid a foundation of taking bold steps in transforming our country and delivering our people from shackles of poverty.
“First we will take steps in integrating the rural economy to national economic grade by extending access to input to rural farmers as well as credit to rural micro businesses and opening up many critical feeder roads.
“Secondly, all small scale enterprises in towns and cities would share facilities currently available so that we can continue to encourage and support domestic production of basic goods to improve our lives,’’ he said.
The president added that in the next four years his administration would remain positive to improve the lives of people by consolidating on efforts to address many issues.
Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, were some of the dignitaries at the event.
Buhari began the celebration with the inspection of Guards on Parade.
Foreign dignitaries at the event also included Presidents of Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Namibia, Niger, Congo, Liberia, Gambia and Guinea Bissau.
Others are the Vice presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Egypt, representatives of Presidents of Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Japan, Mali, Kenya, Morroco, Malawi and Belgium,
The acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Inspector General of Police and other heads of security agencies were also present at the Eagle Square.
Those also in attendance included the All Progressive Congress chieftain, Senator Bola Tinubu and governors of Kano, Kogi, Yobe, Kwara, Kebbi, Ekiti, Kaduna and Anambra states.
Buhari also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerian security agencies for conducting free and fair general polls in 2019 that brought him to power for second term.
He said that INEC was given all the necessary support by providing the commission with all the resources needed for successful electoral process.
According to him, the various security agencies in the country must be commended for maintaining peace and order and for laying down their lives to protect the nation.
He said “today, we are privileged to mark the 9th secretariat of unbroken democracy leadership and peaceful transfer of power; we have won a democratic election government for another four years in Nigeria.
“Throughout the last four years, I respected the independency of INEC, I ensured that INEC got every resources needed to independently conduct impartial management of elections in the country.
“Political parties can agree that the recent elections, except for pockets of unrest, were free, fair and peaceful. I thank all the people who worked for our party, who campaigned and who voted for us.
“I thank my fellow Nigerians, who, since 2003 consistently voted for me.
“I and Nigerians must collectively commend our Armed Forces and other security agencies for working round the clock to protect us by putting themselves to protect our future.”
Buhari said that the issue of terrorism was a worldwide phenomenon that even the best secured countries were experiencing increasing incidences of unrest.
He, however, said that the present administration would consolidate on the achievements of the last four years.
