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

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

I believe that historians and analysts of historical events need the authority of facts supplied by living witnesses to the events, which they make their subject.

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.

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.

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.

Democracy opens new vistas and opportunities. We should use the opportunities it offers to correct past mistakes not to blunder anew.

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.

Even now, we make no apologies for the choice we made. The sacrifices we made were selfless. The options we offered were patriotic while the paths we chose were well thought out.

If you ask me to summarise our mission, I would put it this way: We were a military regime that sought to lay the foundations for freedom and liberty in a complex society.

Nevertheless, in this sea of human wretchedness and malice there bloomed at times compassion, as a pale flower blooms in a putrid marsh.

Wherever you go, go with love.

That's what mild television fame is like: it's like walking through the world with your fly down.

As you're rushing through life, take time to stop a moment, look into people's eyes, say something kind, and try to make them laugh!

Cousins are part of your life so stick with cuz, not friends.

I try to keep the martial arts up. It's a good thing, not just physically but also for your mind.

My Sims family is called the Cholly family. I don't know why I picked that name; it's kind of random.

The cockroach and the bird were both here long before we were. Both could.

The stability and peace which seemed to be so firmly established by the brilliant monarchy of Francis I vanished with the terrible outbreak of the Wars of Religion.

What you eat is not the goal. What you are is the goal.