PROTOCOL

I am delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration of this historic National Conference which promises to be another significant landmark in our efforts to strengthen national unity and consolidate democratic governance in our beloved country.

I also believe that this National Conference is coming at a very appropriate time. Having just celebrated the first centenary of our country, the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development.

This we can achieve by building a more inclusive national consensus on the structure and guiding principles of state that will guarantee our emergence as a more united, progressive and prosperous nation.

In our history as a political entity, we have experienced highs and lows but have always forged ahead. To my mind, the fact that we have weathered all storms and continued with the mission of evolving a truly national identity signifies that we are going in the right direction.

The strongest nations in the world today also went through their own formative stages; some for decades and others for centuries. We must learn from them that nationhood will not happen overnight, especially given the circumstances of our birth as a nation.

History also teaches that nation-building is a journey of dedication, commitment, diligence, perseverance and patriotic vision. To be successful, nation-builders must continually strive to evolve better and more inclusive societies in which every citizen is a proud and committed stakeholder.

It was with this objective in mind that we set up the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on the National Conference in October, last year, and charged its members with the responsibility of designing the framework and modalities for a productive National Conference.

The Committee which submitted its report in December, 2013, was able to reach out to all Nigerians and various interest groups, socio-political groupings, regional and religious elements, professionals, civil society, the organised private sector, labour, youth, women and others to ascertain their views on the initiative.

The Presidential Advisory Committee established that there was, indeed, a national consensus for this conference to be convened immediately, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

The National Conference is, therefore, being convened to engage in intense introspection about the political and socio-economic challenges confronting our nation and to chart the best and most acceptable way for the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the constituent parts of our fatherland.

This coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation.

We cannot continue to fold our arms and assume that things will straighten themselves out in due course instead of taking practical steps to overcome impediments on our path to true nationhood, rapid development and national prosperity.

For many years, we have discussed and argued over various issues concerning our national existence and well-being. Much of this national discourse has been conducted through the mass media, both print and electronic. More recently, the advent of the age of ICT and social media has greatly enlarged the space for the discussion of our country’s future.

Many more young and articulate  Nigerians who previously had little access to the traditional mass media have now joined the conversation, motivated by patriotic concern for good governance, peace, stability, justice, equity, fairness and the harmonious co-existence of the diverse groups that make up our great nation.

Dear compatriots, my administration is convening this National Conference today because we believe that we must assume responsibility for ensuring that the long-running national debate on the best way forward for our country is not in vain.

It is our expectation that participants in this conference will patriotically articulate and synthesise our peoples’ thoughts, views and recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically stable Nigeria, forge the broadest possible national consensus in support of those recommendations and strive to ensure that they are given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and the future of our beloved fatherland.

In inaugurating this national conference today, we are not unmindful of the argument of those who say that we do not need such a conference since we already have an elected parliament and an elected Government in place.

As cogent as that argument may sound, I have chosen to act on the sincere conviction that in the truly democratic nation we are striving to build, we must never ignore the loudly expressed views of the majority of ordinary Nigerians.

I have heard that majority say that we need to rebuild trust by involving them in the process of developing a guiding document of our national political relationships which is more acceptable to all sections of the country.  I have heard our people say that we need to openly and frankly discuss our problems and seek acceptable solutions instead of allowing them to fester and remain sources of perennial conflict.

I have also heard them say that, as the elected representatives of our people, we must never arrogate to ourselves all knowledge and wisdom regarding the development of our country.

And I am in full agreement with our people. The power we hold is, without question, in trust for the people. Sovereignty belongs to the people. Their voices must be heard and factored into every decision we take on their behalf.

This National Conference is a very important avenue for the voices of our people to be heard. Our people have yearnings and desires that need to be discussed. Their representatives at this conference are neither usurping the role of the National Assembly nor the Executive. They are complementing us in our march towards a greater and stronger union.

Over the years, well-meaning Nigerians have drawn attention to inadequacies in our current constitution. Some have described it as a military-inspired document which does not take into full consideration the genuine desires and wishes of the people.

The phrase in the preamble that says “we, the people,” has been variously criticised as being misleading because, according to the critics, the constitution was not written by the people.  There are also those who believe that the constitution is not our problem but the political will to faithfully implement it for the peace and progress of Nigeria.

While opinions on the matter can be as diverse as rain showers, I believe that irrespective of our personal views on the issue, no one can deny the fact that every constitution is a living document that needs to be revised and improved upon from time to time. The United States, which is the model democracy in the eyes of many, has amended its constitution 27 times since it was first adopted in 1787.

Some of our compatriots also believe that because we have held several conferences in the past, we do not need to hold another one. I do not share that view at all.

A deeper look will reveal that the challenges we faced before each of the preceding national conferences were different. The challenges of 1956 are certainly not the challenges of 2014, and definitely not the challenges that the nation will face in years to come. It makes sense, therefore, that as the challenges before us evolve, we must be constant and proactive in our search for fresh solutions. We cannot continue to proffer yesterday’s solutions for today’s problems.

This conference is open for us to table our thoughts and positions on issues and make recommendations that will advance our togetherness. The issues range from form of government, structures of government, devolution of powers, revenue sharing, resource control, state and local government creation, boundary adjustment, state police and fiscal federalism, to local government elections, indigeneship, gender equality and children’s rights, amongst others.

We must not approach these issues with suspicion and antagonism. Rather, we should be open-minded and work to achieve what is best for Nigeria. Even though you come to the Conference as nominees and representatives of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united, stronger, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria your preoccupation and reference point at this national gathering.  Whatever the pressures on you may be, I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before all other sectional or group interests.

Indeed, I am quite worried when I hear people say that some participants in this National Conversation are coming here to defend and promote ethnic or clannish agenda. It is very regrettable that there are persons who believe that we cannot undertake any collective task in our country without the hindrance of ethnic rivalry even after 100 years of nationhood.

This conference gives us an opportunity to prove such persons wrong and I believe it will. As we start a new century of nationhood, we have an obligation to reshape and redirect our country for the benefit of our children. There should be no room for divisive cleavages and ethnic jingoism. There should be no room for selfish considerations that defeat the purpose of national progress. There should be room only for the national interest.

In the 60s, our country was ranked along with some developing countries, including India, Malaysia and South Korea. Today, those countries have moved far ahead of us in several areas. My expectation is that the outcome of this conference will be a positive turning point for our country’s development. We must seize this opportunity to cement the cleavages and fault lines that tend to separate us.  We must re-launch our country.

I know the task before you is onerous; but there must be only one winner, and there can only be one winner if we do everything right, and that winner must be Nigeria. I urge you, therefore, to focus strictly on the Nigerian Agenda.

I expect that, as persons of integrity and honour, you will do nothing in this conference that will undermine our efforts and desire to build a truly great nation.  I also expect that your discussions will be informed only by the noblest of instincts and persuasions.

Our sole motivation for convening this conference is the patriotic desire for a better and greater nation. We are determined that things must be done in a way and manner that will positively advance that objective.

While we recognise that groups and communities are the building blocks of our nation, we must also emphasise that we need one another to build the solid and prosperous country of our dreams.

We cannot join hands together to build with a collective vision if we continue to harbour negative biases and prejudices against ourselves.

Yesterday’s prejudices should die with yesterday. Today is a new day. This is the dawn of a new era. This is an opportunity to think anew. We must jettison the poisonous mindsets of the past, which were built on unhealthy competition among our diverse groups and peoples.

We need a new mind and a new spirit of oneness and national unity. The time has come to stop seeing Nigeria as a country of many groups and regions. We have been divinely brought together under one roof. We must begin to see ourselves as one community. We are joined together by similar hopes and dreams as well as similar problems and challenges. What affects one part of the community affects the other.

An average Nigerian sees every part of the country as home. Let us seize the opportunity of this conference to do more to further turn our diversity and plurality into unique national resources for strength and greatness.

I have always affirmed that our ability to stay together despite our acknowledged differences, when other countries are finding it difficult to meet that challenge, is a powerful statement by Nigeria to the world on the virtues of tolerance and unity.

It is a strong and compelling statement in a world much afflicted by strife and violence.  We must sustain it. We must not allow the antagonists of unity and togetherness to prevail. We must work ceaselessly to remain one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity, as our National Anthem says.

Honourable Chairman and distinguished delegates, I urge you not to be under any illusions as you begin your assignment. The task that lies ahead of you is formidable. Over the coming weeks, you will be confronted with complex and emotive issues; strong views will be expressed by opposing sides and some disagreements will, in all likelihood, be intense.

I sincerely believe, however, that we can overcome all obstacles to true national unity if we dig deep into the recesses of our national character and look up to God Almighty for wisdom, guidance and the generosity of spirit we need to ensure the success of this conference.

Once again, I wish to express my appreciation to the Nigerian people who have, without hesitation, accepted dialogue as a means of resolving all differences and tensions that may exist in the country, and therefore, given their unequivocal support for this National Conference.

Let me at this point thank the National Assembly for introducing the provision for a referendum in the proposed amendment of the constitution. This should be relevant for this conference if at the end of the deliberations, the need for a referendum arises. I therefore urge the National Assembly and the state houses of assembly to speed up the constitutional amendment process, especially with regard to the subject of referendum.

I thank the Chairman, Senator Femi Okurounmu, and members of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the arduous work they undertook to prepare for the conference.  I also thank the Chairman of this National Conference, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, the principal officers and all the distinguished patriots and representatives of our people who have taken time off their busy personal schedules to serve the cause of national unity and progress at this conference.

I am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us stronger as a nation if we undertake it with all sense of purpose and sincerity. Let us do that which is selfless, purposeful and patriotic so that history will remember us for having served our nation well.

In conclusion, I urge all officials and participants in the national conference to work extra hard to ensure that their deliberations are completed on schedule, well ahead of the schedule of events for the next general elections already announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Let me again repeat what I have been saying that Goodluck Jonathan has no personal agenda in convening this national conference.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now have the honour and privilege of declaring the National Conference open, for the good of our nation and to the glory of God Almighty who has brought us together.I thank you all.

 

PROTOCOL

Monday, 4 th February, 2013

1. On January 1, 1914, the British Empire, the foremost world power at the time, took the historic and momentous step of uniting the colonies and protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria, to create a country that became known as Nigeria.

2. This singular action brought together people from different communities, kingdoms, emirates, city states, ethnic nationalities, traditions, cultures, languages, ethos and aspirations - all linked together by geography and a common destiny.

3. Come January 1, 2014, it will be exactly 100 years since that historic journey began. It is a significant moment in our history as a nation and as a people.

4. To acknowledge this moment of national birth, is to acknowledge the beginning of Nigeria’s integration and existence as a single entity, a journey on the path of nationhood that led up to our independence fifty-two (52) years ago when we officially became a sovereign state and later, a federal constitutional republic.

5. As a collective, we as Nigerians have an extensive history, and indeed archaeological evidence shows that human habitation of the area known as Nigeria dates back to several millennia.

6. The country has come a long way from 1914 achieving great feats in social, academic, political and economic spheres and though still confronted with issues and challenges not uncommon with a multi-cultural society, Nigeria is considered a significant player in the comity of nations.

7. We owe it to ourselves, to past generations and to the future generations to tell our own story, the story of our experience, our challenges and most certainly, our strides within the continent and the world. We must do this. To ignore the significant milestones along the path to this date, will be to ignore the essence of our statehood – and most importantly, our most critical responsibility for the generations to whom we will entrust the management of our nation.

8. We owe them a duty to renew their commitment to the vision which seeks to respond to every citizen’s prayer that this land of ours will live up to her great potential and unite us more than it divides us.

9. I therefore feel a special sense of history and humility in welcoming you all to this unique event, to flag off activities to mark the celebration of Nigeria’s centenary.

10. I am particularly pleased with the large turn-out tonight, and the interest that this programme is generating among our people at home and abroad, and the widespread support that it has attracted. I am also thankful to our former Heads of State and former Presidents who have not only agreed to attend but also to participate fully in this event.

11. Let me extend my personal appreciation to the patriotic Nigerians and corporate organizations who have taken ownership of our call for private sector participation in the centenary anniversary programme. I want to reassure you that every item earmarked as part of the programme has been carefully selected to inspire national consciousness and patriotism.

12. I wish to encourage all people of goodwill and corporate organizations to partner with the organizers of the Centenary Celebrations, and to take their pride of place in our nation’s success story. I urge all Nigerians to participate in every aspect of the celebrations.

13. I am aware that many Nigerians still have mixed feelings about the amalgamation. What has come to light, for me, as I reflect on the history of the amalgamation, is not the mistakes that certain persons and groups dwell upon, but the God-inspired greatness of our country.

14. The amalgamation created a unique entity in the world; a country that stretches from the Atlantic ocean to the Sahara desert: a beautiful country, a richly blessed people, who have turned out to be some of the most resourceful and innovative people in the world in all fields of human endeavor.

15. What makes our country great is not the rich natural resources that we are blessed with, but our diversity and the inner strength that is reflected by the people at all times - in good times, in times of challenge; the beauty of our land, the purity of our souls, and the incandescence of our hopes.

16. Most importantly, what makes us great is the unique collection of people that God has placed here – and every day, I see this through their cross cutting interactions and exchanges, their industry and their dedication to be the anchor of Nigerian nation-building and the carriers of Nigerian nationhood.

17. Nigerians who left home for various reasons and who today make up the Nigerian Diaspora are making major contributions to the global community in various parts of the world where they are. They can be found as doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers, ICT experts, administrators, professors and nurses, and various other callings.

18. In all of these areas they show their Nigerian attributes of hard work, drive, resilience and success orientation. As they connect from the global to the local, they demonstrate the same Nigerianness and connect with the larger community of Nigerians at home.

19. As we reflect on the fact of amalgamation, I am also immediately reminded of the victory against all odds that our football team the Super Eagles achieved yesterday; demonstrating that our pride in the national colours runs deep. In those tense moments, yesterday, no one called out or recalled the ethnic background of the player – local or Diaspora - that wore the green and white jersey.

20. This is the Nigeria we have all worked to create and the Nigeria we should work hard to sustain.

21. There is certainly no question that certain affirmative characteristics like drive, ambition, hard work, resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and organizational acumen are distinctive traits commonly found among Nigerians of all ethnic groups. These are partly inheritances from our evolved and distinguished ancient cultures and partly the results of our common interaction in contemporary Nigeria.

22. I am convinced that the story of amalgamation contains many lessons for our benefit. In spite of our diversity, the founding fathers of our nation found cause to work together and promote a sense of unity.

23. We have seen a country buffeted by domination, even a civil war, and other challenges, but 100 years later, it remains one country.

24. The One Nigeria consciousness which has kept us together is what we must safeguard. The question we must devote time and effort to is: how do we build the foundations for the Nigeria we seek in the next 100 years?

25. I urge all of us, as Nigerians to rededicated ourselves to a Nigeria where our abundant talents, ideas, competencies and values drive the change that will shape an emergent Africa in the new world. Our belief as a people as we prepare for the next 100 years, must be that the unity of Nigeria is indivisible, non-negotiable, sacred and sacrosanct.

26. No one should insist on reversing history; those who seek a return to pre-1914 Nigeria only seek to diminish our collective heritage; we must remain the forward-looking people that we are.

27. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the journey of our country since independence has been directed at a destination of unquestionable greatness. We have no choice but to continue to work hard at building a powerful, cohesive, inclusive and progressive country that will remain the pride of all Nigerians and the black race in general.

28. We are emerging as a strong, politically stable and democratic country. We have held four successive elections since 1999, democratic principles and ideals are progressively becoming part of our political culture. During the 2011 elections, I promised free and fair elections, and one man one vote, one woman one vote, one youth, one vote.

29. I kept my word and the election was adjudged nationally and internationally as free and fair. We are encouraging greater social participation through the enactment of the Freedom of Information law which I signed. This encourages all Nigerians to freely express their views and dissent on all matters.

30. We should encourage all those Nigerians from all walks of life who demonstrate boundless faith and hope in the country to continue their emotional and practical investments in the worthy and glorious Great Nigeria project.

31. We shall sustain and advance our country’s emergence as a politically powerful, socially stable and democratic society; a technologically advanced industrial economy, a prosperous and equitable society and a powerful player in the global system.

32. On balance, despite all the challenges, we have recorded great strides in building and welding a new Nigeria; our current Transformation Programme will take the process to even greater heights.

33. As we keep our hopes alive and let our passion for development burn we will build the Nigeria of our dreams. I believe that Nigeria is destined for greatness.

34. I see a united, peaceful and prosperous nation in the horizon. This greater Nigeria, will make generations yet unborn very proud. To this greater Nigeria, we fully commit ourselves. Arise we shall, and prosper, we will.

35. Thank you. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

PROTOCOL

1.    My Dear Compatriots, I stand in humble gratitude to you, this day, having just sworn to the oath of office as President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of our great nation.

2.    I thank you all, fellow citizens, for the trust and confidence, which you have demonstrated through the power of your vote. I want to assure you, that I will do my utmost at all times, to continue to deserve your trust.  

3.    I would like to specially acknowledge the presence in our midst today, of Brother Heads of State and Government, who have come to share this joyous moment with us.  Your Excellencies, I thank you for your solidarity.  I also wish to express my gratitude, to the Representatives of Heads of State and Government who are here with us.  My appreciation also goes to the chairperson of the African Union and other world leaders, our development partners, and all our distinguished guests.

4.    I want to specially thank all Nigerians for staying the course in our collective commitment to build a democratic nation. To members of the PDP family and members of other political parties, who have demonstrated faith in our democratic enterprise, I salute you.

5.    At this juncture, let me acknowledge and salute my friend and brother, Vice-President Namadi Sambo; and my dear wife, Patience, who has been a strong pillar of support.

6.    I thank her for galvanizing and mobilizing Nigerian women for the cause of democracy. In the same vein, I owe a debt of gratitude to my mother and late father. I cannot thank them enough.

7.    I cannot but pay tribute to our late President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, with whom we won the Presidential election four years ago, when I contested as his running mate.   May God bless his soul.

8.    I also wish to pay tribute to our founding fathers, whose enduring sacrifices and abiding faith in the unity and greatness of our country, laid the foundation for the nation. We take enormous pride in their contributions.  The pivotal task of this generation, is to lift our fatherland to the summit of greatness.

9.    Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, earlier this year, over seventy-three million eligible Nigerians endured all manner of inconvenience just to secure their voters cards, in order to exercise the right to choose those that will govern them.

10.    At the polls, we saw the most dramatic expressions of the hunger for democracy. Stories of courage and patriotism were repeated in many ways, including how fellow citizens helped physically challenged voters into polling stations to enable them exercise their franchise.  The inspiring story of the one hundred and three year-old man, and many like him across the country, who struggled against the physical limitations of age to cast their vote, is noteworthy.

11.    Such determination derives from the typical Nigerian spirit of resilience in the face of the greatest of odds.  That spirit has, over the years, stirred our hopes, doused our fears, and encouraged us to gather ourselves to build a strong nation even when others doubted our capacity.

12.    Today, our unity is firm, and our purpose is strong.  Our determination unshakable. Together, we will unite our nation and improve the living standards of all our peoples whether in the North or in the South; in the East or in the West.  Our decade of development has begun.  The march is on.  The day of transformation begins today.  We will not allow anyone exploit differences in creed or tongue, to set us one against another. Let me at this point congratulate the elected Governors, Senators, members of the House of Representatives and those of the States Houses of Assembly for their victories at the polls.

13.    I am mindful that I represent the shared aspiration of all our people to forge a united Nigeria: a land of justice, opportunity and plenty. Confident that a people that are truly committed to a noble ideal, cannot be denied the realization of their vision, I assure you that this dream of Nigeria, that is so deeply felt by millions, will indeed come to reality.

14.    A decade ago, it would have been a mere daydream to think that a citizen from a minority ethnic group could galvanize national support, on an unprecedented scale, to discard ancient prejudices, and win the people’s mandate as President of our beloved country. That result emanated from the toil and sacrifice of innumerable individuals and institutions, many of whom may never get to receive public appreciation for their effort.

15.    Only a couple of days ago, I received an entry on my Facebook page. It was sent by Mr. Babajide Orevba. He wrote to inform me that I had lost 
a great fan. That fan was his father, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele Orevba. The deceased, the son told me, was no politician, but had campaigned enthusiastically for my ticket. Tragically, overwhelmed by the joy of our victory, he collapsed, and passed on three days later. I pray God Almighty to grant his soul eternal rest.

16.    The success of the 2011 elections and the widespread acclaim which the exercise received was due to the uncommon patriotism and diligence exhibited by many Nigerians, including members of the Armed Forces, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and others. Unfortunately, despite the free, fair and transparent manner the elections were conducted, a senseless wave of violence in some parts of the country led to the death of ten members of the NYSC and others.  These brave men and women paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of our fatherland. They are heroes of our democracy. We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences in respect of all those who lost their lives.

17.    In the days ahead, those of us that you have elected to serve must show that we are men and women with the patriotism and passion, to match the hopes and aspirations of you, the great people of this country.  We must demonstrate the leadership, statesmanship, vision, capacity, and sacrifice, to transform our nation. We must strengthen common grounds, develop new areas of understanding and collaboration, and seek fresh ideas, that will enrich our national consensus.

18.    It is the supreme task of this generation to give 
hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak and protection to the defenceless.

19.    Fellow citizens, the leadership we have pledged is decidedly transformative.  The transformation will be achieved in all the critical sectors, 
by harnessing the creative energies of our people.

20.    We must grow the economy, create jobs, and generate enduring happiness for our people. I have great confidence in the ability of Nigerians to transform this country.  The urgent task of my administration is to provide a suitable environment, for productive activities to flourish. I therefore call on the good people of Nigeria, to enlist as agents of this great transformation.

21.    My dear countrymen and women, being a Nigerian is a blessing. It is also a great responsibility. We must make a vow that, together, we will make the Nigerian Enterprise thrive.

22.    The leadership and the followership must strive to convert our vast human and natural resources into the force that leads to a greater Nigeria. The Nigeria of our dreams must be built on hard work and not on short cuts. Let me salute the Nigerian workers who build our communities, cities and country. They deserve fair rewards, and so do the women that raise our children, and the rural dwellers that grow our food.

23.    The moment is right. The signs are heart-warming. We are ready to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development.  In our economic strategy, there will be appropriate policy support to the real sector of the economy, so that Small and Medium Enterprises may thrive. Nigeria is blessed with enormous natural wealth, and my Administration will continue to encourage locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources in growing the domestic economy.  A robust private sector is vital to providing jobs for our rapidly expanding population.  But this must be a collaborative effort.

24.    We must form technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organizations. We live in an age where no country can survive on its own; countries depend on each other for economic well-being.  Nigeria is no different.  Returns on investment in Nigeria remain among the highest in the world. We will continue to welcome sustainable investment in our economy.

25.    We will push programs and policies that will benefit both local and foreign businesses, but we must emphasize mutual benefits and win-win relationships. The overall ongoing reforms in the banking and financial sectors are therefore designed to support the real sector of the economy.

26.    To drive our overall economic vision, the power sector reform is at the heart of our industrialization strategy. I call on all stakeholders, to cooperate with my administration, to ensure the success of the reforms.

27.    Over the next four years, attention will be focused on rebuilding our infrastructure. We will create greater access to quality education and improved health care delivery.  We will pay special attention to the agricultural sector, to enable it play its role of ensuring food security and massive job creation for our people. 

28.    The creation of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority will immensely contribute to strengthening our fiscal framework, by institutionalizing savings of our commodity-related revenues. With this mechanism in place, we will avoid the boom and bust cycles, and mitigate our exposure to oil price volatility.

29.    The lesson we have learnt is that the resolution of 
the Niger Delta issue is crucial for the health of the nation’s economy.  In the interest of justice, equity and national unity, we shall actively promote 
the development of the region.  I believe that peace is a necessary condition for development.

30.    Fellow citizens, in every decision, I shall always place the common good before all else.  The bane of corruption shall be met by the overwhelming force of our collective determination, to rid our nation of this scourge. The fight against corruption is a war in which we must all enlist, so that the limited resources of this nation will be used for the growth of our common wealth. 

31.    I am confident that we have every reason to look to the future with hope.  We owe ourselves and posterity the duty of making this country respectable in the comity of nations. Nigeria, as a responsible member of the international community, will remain committed to the maintenance of global peace and security. We will 
continue to play an active role in the United Nations. Our role in the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Gulf of Guinea will be enhanced to ensure greater human and energy security.

32.    Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a new dawn for Africa. We fought for decolonization. We will now fight for democratization. 
Nigeria, in partnership with the African Union, will lead the process for democracy and development in Africa. In particular, we will support the consolidation of democracy, good governance and human rights in 
the continent.  Africa must develop its vast resources to tackle poverty and under-development. 

33.    Conscious of the negative effect of insecurity on growth and development, my Administration will seek collaboration at bilateral and multilateral levels, to improve our capability in combating trans-border crimes. In this regard, we will intensify our advocacy against the illicit trades in small arms and light weapons, which have become the catalyst for conflicts on the African continent. All Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad are to accord this vision of defending the dignity of humanity the highest priority. 

34.    My fellow countrymen and women, Nigeria is not just a land of promise; it shall be a nation where positive change will continue to take place, for the good of our people.  The time for lamentation is over. This is the era of transformation.  This is the time for action. But Nigeria can only be transformed if we all play our parts with commitment and sincerity. Cynicism and skepticism will not help our journey to greatness. Let us all believe in a new Nigeria. Let us work together to build a great country that we will all be proud of.  This, is our hour.

35.    Fellow Compatriots, lift your gaze towards the horizon. Look ahead, and you will see a great future, that we can secure with unity, hard work and collective sacrifice.

36.    Join me now as we begin the journey of transforming Nigeria.
•    I will continue to fight, for your future, because I am one of you.
•    I will continue to fight, for improved medical care for all our citizens.
•    I will continue to fight for all citizens to have access to first class education.
•    I will continue to fight for electricity to be available to all our citizens.
•    I will continue to fight for an efficient and affordable public transport system for all our people.
•    I will continue to fight for jobs to be created through productive partnerships.

37.    You have trusted me with your mandate, and I will never, never let you down.

38.    I know your pain, because I have been there.  Look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new beginning; a new direction; a new spirit.

39.    Nigerians, I want you to start to dream again.  What you see in your dreams, we can achieve together. I call upon all the Presidential candidates who contested with me to join hands with us as we begin the transformation of our country.

40.    Let us work together; let us build together; let us bequeath a greater Nigeria to the generations to come.

41.    I thank you! God bless you all! And God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.