The work of Nigeria is not complete for as long as there is any one Nigerian who goes to bed on empty stomach.

A society that does not correctly interpret and appreciate its past cannot understand its present fortunes and adversities and can be caught unawares in a fast changing world.

The reason is that till date, in spite of advances in information technology and strategies of information, the written word in the form of books still remains one of humanity's most enduring legacies.

It is of course the nature of historical contraction that the shortest distance to a historical destination is never a straight line.

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

Debate and divergence of views can only enrich our history and culture.

But no nation can base its survival and development on luck and prayers alone while its leadership fritters away every available opportunity for success and concrete achievement.