However you may feel today, whether happy or sad or whether hopeful or fearful, always remember this: that our future and fate as a nation will not be determined by anyone, any group of people or any government. It will not be eclipsed, marred, moulded or forged in the darkness of deceit or in the tunnels of misfortune, bitterness and trauma. Evil and heartless men shall not have their way forever in our country for though our night may be dark and seemingly endless, the beautiful rays of the bright morning sun shall one day surely come and with it bring light, comfort, joy and peace everlasting. Our ship of state shall one day be steered not by cruel, unfeeling and insensitive hearts but by the God of Heaven and by He alone.
One day, not too far from now, our land shall be free and our soil shall breath life again. On that day summer flowers will blossom and the sound of gentle laughter shall fill the air. Therein lies our hope for a better tomorrow and there lies our path to honour, prosperity and greatness unimaginable. Our destiny and hope lies in God’s sure hands and in all things, both good and bad, we must give thanks to Him and we must have faith in Him. He is worthy to be praised. He is faithful and true. He will not forget us. He will not forsake us. He truly is our shield and our glory: He surely is the lifter of our heads. We are one nation, indivisible, unbreakable and undividable under God. We may have some differences amongst ourselves but whichever side of the great divide that each and everyone of us stands, we are, every one of us, first and foremost, Nigerians and our faith, our loyalty, our hearts and our very souls must live for and pledge loyalty to the sacred soil of mother Nigeria: they must testify to the power, the beauty and the grace of our wonderful people. God bless Nigeria! God save Nigeria! God defend Nigeria! God deliver Nigeria!