We have established a new basis in our country in which economic liberalization would continue to flourish alongside democratic forces and deregulated power structure.

The average Nigerian person has come to reconcile himself with the fact that his or her social progress remain essentially in his or her hands in collaboration with other fellow Nigerians and not merely relying on what government alone could provide for him or her.

At the same, we need to remain sensitive to the reality that we are still an African society in which the majority of the people and communities live under severe deprivations and afflictions that are no fault of theirs.

I am not sure that you, the younger generations, will like to go to war that we went through. So, we learn as the mistakes are being committed.

Each one of us, and, indeed, all those who aspire to national leadership must bring their own visions, views and styles to the business of reforming Nigeria, and the search for solutions.

Most importantly, nothing has happened to change my conviction that freedom and the love of liberty remain the essential defining attributes of our national character as a people.

Informed by our sad experience of history, we require nothing short of a foundation for lasting democracy.