Speaking at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja today at the opening of the 16th meeting of the Baroness Lynda Chalker-led Honorary International Investor Council (HIIC), Jonathan said the government would remain unyielding in the face of terrorist activities in the country.
Represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, the president assured that his administration would continue to reinforce Nigeria's defence in order to rid the nation of terrorism and other evil forces threatening her peace and development.
He also maintained that the security agents were fighting terrorism and insurgency which, according to him, seeks to undermine the country's security.
"This administration remains committed to ensuring security of lives and property of Nigerians and all those that reside in this country. Our security forces are confronting terrorism and any insurgency that seeks to undermine the security of the nation.
"We will remain unyielding and will continue to reinforce our defence so as to rid the country of terrorism and the forces of evil that threaten our peace and development", the president said.
Speaking further, he said Nigeria's position as the preferred destination for direct foreign investment in Africa had been maintained despite the current security challenges.
Jonathan, who said the government's commitment to making Nigeria one the world's 20 most industrialised nations was waxing stronger, asserted
that his administration's transformation agenda was yielding impressive results.
The president also pledged to continue to eliminate distortions and privileges in order to create a sustainable level playing ground for all investors in the country.
According to him, Nigeria is better equipped to succeed in her fight against corruption to improve and build the economy, develop infrastructure and secure lives and property.
"Today, Nigeria is one of the strongest economic performer in Africa. For the second year, the United Nation's Conference on Trade and Development, has declared Nigeria as the number one recipient of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa. In May this year, Nigeria hosted global leaders at the World Economic Forum on Africa. Besides the record attendance, prospective and size able additional investment into Nigerian economy were pledged. The Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan which was launched recently is expected to increase the size of our manufacturing sector from four per cent of the GDP today to 10 per cent of the GDP by the year, 2017.
"This strategic industrial plan focuses on four main areas, light manufacturing, agro businesses, petro-chemicals and solid minerals and metals. It'll help to develop the non oil sector, fast track our industrial development and create millions of jobs for Nigerians. In the agricultural sector, our reform efforts are producing substantial outcomes in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Through the growth enhancement scheme, we've provided subsidised farming inputs to over four million farmers. Last year alone, over 250,000 farmers were engaged in producing 1.1 million metric tones of rice, during the dry season", he said
He said though access and quality still posed a challenge to the nation's education sector, the government was improving the standard at the state and federal levels by upgrading teaching and infrastructure in institutions.
Earlier in her opening address, Chalker said it had become imperative for the Honorary International Investor Council to focus on education as "a situation where children who go to primary schools do not complete their education tells a lot about the problems of the country".
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