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 of Nigeria and humanity.

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

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

There is no part of the world where corruption is absolutely eliminated.

I believe God knew what he was doing when he put oil under our ground. It should be a means to an end.

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

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 rule of law.