LAGOS, NIGERIA (AUGUST 17, 1979) (REUTERS)

GV: 'EKO' Holiday Inn.
SV: Officials attending press conference. (3 shots)
SV: Alihaji Shehu first Executive President speaking with newsmen listening. (5 shots)

ALHAJI SHEHU: "I welcome wholeheartedly and accept this great challenge and opportunity to serve my country as its chief executive. In doing this I wish to call on Nigerians to assist me in the difficult task ahead. There will be an opportunity for every Nigerian to contribute his or her culture. I believe that if our nation is to be truly great, we must come together as a family to solve our common problems After all the objectives of all the five political parties are similar. so let's work together in harmony towards the fulfilment of these objective. My government will vigorously pause the promotion of genuine world peace and human rights through such organisations as the United Nations organisation and the OAU--organisation f African Unity. With regards to the continent of Africa my government shall spare no effort to affect the total elimination of racism and other forms of oppression and exploitation. Therefore, my African brothers can rest assured that we don not share their hopes and aspirations for progress and freedom, but what is more we shall do our best to bring about a just and speedy attainment of these hopes and aspirations. In ending this address I wish to reiterate my earlier promises to build a government that will at all times be accountable to the people. To this end I shall run an open government which will at all times be close to the people and guided always by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Background: Nigeria's new President-elect, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has pledged to maintain political stability in the country. Speaking on Friday (17 August) at his first major news conference since being elected, he said political stability was vital for the country's economic and Social development.
At the news conference, held in Lagos the day after his election, Alhaji ??? said his victory was a victory for all Nigerians. In accepting the appointment the President would honour its campaign promise of building a new nation where everybody would be free to pursue his livelihood.
The President elect was born at Yabo, Sokoto in 1925. A trained teacher he has secretary of the former Northern People's Congress from 1951 to 1956. He was an MP from 1954 to 1966 during which time he held two cabinet posts. When he assumes office on October 1 he will have to contend with a national assembly in which his party does not have a majority. His National Party has 36 members in the 95 seat Senate and 168 members in the 449 seat House of Representatives.