50 heads of state to attend Buhari’s inauguration

Edem Duke, minister of culture and tourism, has revealed that 50 heads of state and other delegates ​are planning to attend the May 29 handover ceremony to the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

Duke said this while addressing a news conference in Abuja on the lineup of events for the inauguration.

He said all 54 countries on the continent had been invited to grace the occasion.

This is the first time in 16 years that the Democracy Day celebrations will witness the inauguration of a new president from an opposition party.

This development follow​s​ the victory of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in the March 28 presidential election.

“Many heads of state are expected to be present; a large turnout of people will also be witnessed, especially from countries in Europe,” said Duke, who is also chairman of the presidential inauguration planning committee.

“This will give credit to the image of Nigeria, that we have attracted such positive attention to this inauguration and must ensure that the ceremony is a success.”

He said the committee was collaborating with security agencies to ensure adequate security.

“The security agencies are working in close contact to ensure that there will be absolutely no threat to security. Arrangements have been made to screen all invited guests, long before they access perimeters of the location,” he said.

“That is why we are asking for people who will attend the ceremony to ensure that they are accredited before the day. There is also a plan that in some locations within the city, there might be big screens for members of the public to follow the activities from their various homes. There will also be restricted access, to avoid traffic in and around the Eagle Square, where the event will hold.”

Duke said the inauguration events commenced on Friday with a Juma​’​at service at the central mosque, while a thanksgiving service would be held on Sunday at the national Christian centre, Abuja, at 3 pm.

“On Thursday, May 28, there will be inauguration dinner at the state house conference hall at 7pm; while on Friday, May 29, the swearing-in ceremony will take place at Eagle Square at 9 am in Abuja.

“Also, on the same day after the swearing-in ceremony, a luncheon will take place at noon at the state house banquet hall and the inauguration gala night will also take place on the same day and same venue at 7 pm.”

In his remark, Olu Akinyelure, co-chairman, presidential transition planning committee, solicited the assistance of the media in projecting the country positively to the whole world.