At its 54th year of independence, Nigeria is still in a sober mood because of the crisis of nationhood the gory activities the terrorist group, Boko Haram, has plunged the country into, President Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday.

He noted, however, that the war against the insurgents is being won already with the effort of the soldiers who have remained undaunted and unwearied in the face of constant challenge and mortal danger.

In his Independence Day broadcast aired live on national televisions and radios yesterday morning, the president also declared that free and fair elections have come to stay in the country, as his administration had made a commitment to ensure that it builds and sustain a democratic infrastructure anchored on free and fair elections

Noting that both international and local observers have attested to the positive evolution of electoral credibility in the country, Jonathan said, “We will continue to ensure that the will of the electorate prevails so that political leaders would be reminded at all times that there is a day of reckoning when they have to go back to the people at the polls. Election days must not be days of violence and death. We must remain vigilant to ensure that our electoral process is characterised by peace, security and transparency.

He enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all security agencies, politicians and the electorate to work conscientiously and peacefully to consolidate on the gains of the recent elections.

“Free and fair elections have come to stay; nothing else will be acceptable to our people,” he declared.

The president assured that despite the crisis of nationhood the terrorist group has plunged the country into, his administration is committed to making the country safe for all Nigerians, even as he called on those waging war against the country to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

He said, “To those who have genuine grievances, I affirm that Nigeria will listen to you, if you bring your grievances to the table of dialogue. To the good people of Nigeria, let me restate that our task of building a better and greater country must not waver.”

Noting that the country was still in a sober mood, Jonathan said, “In my address to the nation last year, I did emphasize that we were in a sober moment in our country. We are still in that mood in spite of the many accomplishments of our administration. Our soberness has to do with the crises of nationhood occasioned by the activities of terrorist elements who have done the unimaginable to challenge our unity as a people.”

The president used the occasion to remember all those that had lost their lives in the war of terror unleashed on some parts of the country by insurgents, who had “maimed and raped, killed men, women and children, rendering many children orphans and several women widows,” and declared that “they will not succeed” in their violent ideology aimed at destroying the country.

Commending the military for their effort so far to contain the insurgents, he said, “Night after night, day after day, our security forces continue to engage the terrorists in battle. My gratitude goes out to our armed forces whose will has been greatly challenged by this insurgency more than any other time since the civil war. Driven by patriotic zeal, they are turning the tide by their prowess and determination.

“As commander-in-chief, I will continue to do all it takes to enable them to keep on inflicting devastating blows at the heart of terror. Fellow Nigerians, it is our collective duty as patriots to avail our men and women in uniform all the support they need to fight and win this war,” the president stated.

Recalling that his government has put certain measures in place to assist the victims of terror, Jonathan spoke of the launch of the Victims’ Support Fund which, he said, is an independent multi-sectoral charity meant to aggressively solicit resources from Nigerian business leaders and international partners to augment government’s effort to bringing succour to the injured, the displaced and the bereaved.

Jonathan also spoke of the Presidential Initiative for the North East, a comprehensive programme to fast-track the economic restoration of this region, which has been the epicentre of terrorist activities.

“Our overall objective is to do all we possibly can to sustain in the North-East the momentum of economic advancement which is ongoing in other parts of the country despite the machinations of the terrorists and their sponsors,” he explained, noting that the Boko Haram sect does not mean well for the country.

He urged all Nigerians to put aside political, sectional or other parochial considerations, and to support whole-heartedly the efforts of the government and the military, in “checking this evil”.

The president also praised all those who made sacrifices to contain the virulent Ebola virus disease and stamp it out of Nigeria, saying they are heroes for saving the country from suffering the terrible woes being experienced in other African nations.

Jonathan vowed to implement the recommendation of the just concluded national conference which was convened at the instance of suggestion by well-meaning Nigerians on the need to focus attention on rebuilding and strengthening the ties that bind the nation.

He said, “We have successfully delivered on that promise as we established the 2014 National Conference headed by Justice Legbo Kutigi. After months of deliberations, which did not come without its challenges, the conference concluded its assignment and has handed its report to me.

“I have made a firm commitment that we would act on the recommendations of the conference. This, I have started by setting up the Ministerial Committee headed by the honourable attorney-general of the federation to work out the modalities for implementing the report.”

Noting that his government has been able to sustain a big, strong and influential country with a robust economy, the president reeled out his administration’s achievement in the power sector, oil and gas, trade and industry, among others.

For the fourth time, the Independence Day celebration was held at the courtyard of the president’s office at the presidential villa, instead of the Eagle Square, due to security concerns after terrorists detonated bombs and killed scores at the last ceremony at Eagle Square in 2010.

Former heads of state, the leadership of the National Assembly, the judiciary and top government officials yesterday joined the president to mark the event in a brief ceremony at the forecourt of the presidential villa.

A high point of the ceremony included the traditional Change of Guards parade conducted by the Presidential Guards Brigade.

Present at the occasion were Senate President David Mark, all the service chiefs, acting inspector-general of police Suleiman Abba, ministers and some senior government officials.

Former leaders who attended the ceremony included former head of state General Yakubu Gowon, former head of Interim National Government Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, and former Chief of General Staff Oladipo Diya.

Addressing State House correspondent, Gowon urged Nigerians to work to make the country great.

“I believe in Nigeria, I love Nigeria and we all must work for Nigeria, the government and the opposition, in order to make Nigeria great. That is my wish. Nigeria will survive beyond 2015,” he said.