asks all Nigerians to pray for all those aboard the plane and their families.

Nothing should be done to erode the credibility of Nigeria, … nobody will respect us.

It was frank and exploratory. They will continue to meet to see how they can bridge the gap. All are willing to make a success of this.

My joy knows no bounds, … I will devote all my energy and all the powers available to me to the service of Nigeria and humanity.

President Clinton and myself share a common view that is based on human welfare, human development and human well-being in both our countries, our continents and throughout the world, … very friendly and fruitful.

Nigeria has no business with poverty. With our human and material resources, we shall strive to eradicate poverty from our country.

North and south must also adopt measures to arrest the growing phenomenon of illegal capital flight and the repatriation of illicit wealth siphoned abroad by corrupt political leaders and their collaborators back to their countries...

Many are the people, Nigerians and non-Nigerians, dead and alive, that God has used and is still using in the course of my life journey.

put his house in order.

strive at this meeting to come out with solutions.

Let me make a solemn pledge before all of you, before the whole world and before God, that I will devote all my energy and all I possess in my power to serve the people...

Religion mixed with politics in a multi-faith country like ours portends destruction and devastation.

Unfortunately, the true force which propels our endless political disputes, our constant struggles for political advantage, is often not our burning concern for democracy, it is often of our dedication to the principle of the...

People were expecting us to run before we walk, … People should be patient with us, bearing in mind that even the (Western) countries that are shouting at the top today about being democracies, it...

This meeting attests to full acceptance of our country back into the Commonwealth and also signifies the endorsement by the association of our progress in democratic governance.

Yet there comes a time in the life of a patriot when abdication would amount to a betrayal if not outright treachery.

I can assure you that Nigeria is not just the number one item on our agenda. Nigeria is in fact the only item on our agenda.

Pope John Paul II not only visited Nigeria twice but stood by the country in its fight against dictatorship and injustice.

It has been a tough campaign, but once again Nigerians have proved themselves and turned out in numbers for this historic day, at least in my constituency, … We are hopeful the transition to democracy...

address the issues at hand.

My gut feelings and my faith tell me that until God shuts a door, no human can shut it.

We will as soon as possible reexamine our laws and policies and eliminate all obstacles to genuine investment,

the Gulf of Guinea has become the cynosure of world attention, next to the Middle East.

and compassion too.

I have directed the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book and we will make sure that sort of situation does not arise again.

Corruption, the greatest single bane of our society today.

I will open my arms to welcome him,

We are happy that we are witnessing this day. Our government shall do its best to meet the hopes and aspirations of our people,

That is a sign that peace is returning.

What the oil producer gets paid is about 16 percent. The majority of it is tax, which in fairness to the government of this country they have accepted and admitted,

We will work to bring an element of stability to the price of oil,

If Africa’s per capita consumption of fish is just to be kept at its present level, though grossly low and unacceptable, then fish production must be increased by over 250 percent by 2015.

I don’t see why anybody should worry,

Make no mistake. We face a very difficult job once we get the pomp behind us tomorrow,

Those are areas where one should not say they are expecting too much, because they are areas where things should be done and should be done fast,

We must demonstrate the political will and assume the responsibility for the historical wrongs that are owed to the victims of slavery, that an apology be extended by states which actively practiced and benefited themselves...

The tension all over the country went down, and people, no matter where they live and how they live, no matter their religious affiliation or their ethnic background, now feel a sense of relief, …...

The best thing that I will want to have is not to have debt at all, … So when you talk of rescheduling, I’m apprehensive. When you talk of remission, even staying of interest for...

Democracy should be nurtured and sustained in Nigeria and in our part of the world

I am a black man inside and outside and you are white men on the outside, but inside, you are Africans like me,

As your president of a democratic and civilian administration, I believe this is what God Almighty has ordained for me and my beloved country and its people.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that our foreign friends are welcome to join in our endeavor to develop the resources of our country,

I have already ordered a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the air crash with a view to ensuring that this sort of calamity does not repeat itself,

Last time I was here there were pillboxes, roadblocks and sandbags on the road from the airport. There is only one set of sandbags this time,

This government was highly touched by this unfortunate incident, which claimed such a number of lives. The nation is in a state of grief and a state of mourning.

any time he chooses to take advantage of it.

Twelve months ago, nobody could have predicted the stunning series of events,

My joy knows no bounds… I will devote all my energy and all the powers available to me to the service of Nigeria and humanity.

The developments on the Chad-Sudan border are not very encouraging. The accusations and counter accusations of both Sudan and Chad of aggression in each other’s territory and support for rebels in each other’s territory are...

While there are enormous challenges ahead, we have recorded some modest achievements in the areas of peace and stability.