SPEECH DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR A. O. SOYOMBO,ON THE OCCASION OF THE 48^TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF NIGERIA, IN ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE, on 1^st October, 2008

Your Excellency,

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Youssouf Bakayoko;

Honorable Minister and officials of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, here present;

Your Excellency, the Heads of Mission and Members of Diplomatic Corps;

Your Royal Majesty King Amon Tanoe, the Nzima Kotoko;

Religious Leaders;

Distingished Guest;

Fellow Nigerians;

Ladies and Gentilemen

1. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the celebration of the 48^th Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We thank you, most sincerely, for honouring our invitation.

2. Exactly forty-eight years ago, today, Nigeria attained independence and started to chart a new course of life for her people. As a country, we have every cause to celebrate and to thank God, who has seen us through some quite challenging times. The restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria, on May 29, 1999, after a prolonged period of military rule, and the election of President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua, in May, last year (which marked the first orderly transition from one elected government to another), were an eloquent testimony to the determination of the Nigerian people, to ensure the consolidation and success of the democratic process.

3. Since President Yar'Adua's assumption of office, the implementation of his government's programme of action, for the rapid socio-economic development of the country, as contained in the Seven-Point Agenda, have brought renewed hope and confidence to our people. All the areas covered in the programme, including the development of infrastructure, the fight against corruption, and strict adherence to the rule of law, are being vigorously pursued. The issue of the Niger Delta is being seriously addressed. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has been created, in order to effectively

tackle the challenge of the region in terms of infrastructure, environmental degradation, security and human development. Furthermore, the machinery of Government is being strengthened, with the restructuring of the Ministries. In these efforts, we look forward to the support and cooperation of our friends.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. At the sub-regional and international levels, Nigeria will continue to adhere to its policy of peaceful co-existence and good-neighbourliness. Nigeria remains committed to the goals of African integration and will continue to collaborate with other African countries, in the concerted efforts to reduce conflicts and to free our peoples from the shackles of illiteracy, poverty and disease. Nigeria will continue to play an active role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the African Union and the United Nations and, with others, will continue to work towards the promotion of international peace and security.

Honourable Ministers,

Distinguished Guests,

5. Please permit me, at this juncture, to pay tribute to the President of the Republic of Cote d'lvoire, His Excellency Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, for his statesmanship and his commitment to the implementation of the Ouagadougou Peace Accord, which have brought peace and stability to this beautiful country. I would also like to acknowledge the commendable role of His Excellency the Prime Minister, Mr. Guillaume Soro, as well as of the other stakeholders, in the peace process. We wish the Government and people of Cote d'lvoire, the very best, as they embark on the final stages of the peace process, so that this great country can continue to play its active role in the affairs of our sub-region in particular, and of the continent in general. In this connection, I would like to assure our Ivorian brothers and sisters of the continued support and solidarity of the Nigerian Government and people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. We in Nigeria are indeed very proud of the excellent relations which so happily exist between our two countries. We are particularly grateful to the Ivorian Government and people, for their hospitality towards the Nigerian nationals living in their midst, over the years. This is a practical demonstration of African brotherhood and real integration. It is our sincere hope and desire, that the very cordial ties between Nigeria and Cote d'lvoire, would continue to be strengthened in the years ahead, to the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples.

7. - TOAST Honourable Ministers, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I request you to raise your glasses and toast to the continued good health and well being of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cote d'lvoire, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo and His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, as well as to the peace, progress and prosperity of the Governments and peoples of the Republic of Cote d'lvoire and of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

8. I thank you, and may God bless us all.

NIGERIA EMBASSY

ABIDJAN

COTE D'IVOIRE

1 OCTOBER, 2008