5​0 Heads of State to attend Presidential inauguration - Minister

Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Culture and Tourism and Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, says 50 Heads of State are billed to witness the inauguration and handover ceremony on May 29.

The Minister told spoke newsmen in Abuja on Friday May 22 that invitations have been sent to all Presidents of African countries.

''Many Heads of State are expected to be present; a large turnout of people will also be witnessed, especially from countries in Europe. 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. The security agencies are working in close contact to ensure that there will be absolutely no threat to security. Arrangement has been made to screen all invited guests, long before the access perimeters of the location. 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,” he said.