The speech below was delivered by President Olusegun Obasanjo following
his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29,
1999.
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Fellow
Nigerians, we give praise and honour to God Almighty for this day specially appointed
by God Himself. Everything created by God has its destiny and it is the destiny
of all of us to see this day. Twelve
months ago, no one could have predicted the series of stunning events that made
it possible for democratic elections to be held at the Local Government level,
the State level, and culminating in the National Assembly Elections. Thereafter,
you the good people of Nigeria elected me, a man who had walked through the
valley of the shadow of death, as your President, to head a democratic civilian
administration. I believe that this is what God Almighty has ordained for me
and for my beloved country Nigeria and its people. I accept this destiny in all
humility and with the full belief that with the backing of our people we shall
not fail.