At least, a total of 50 Heads of State from sub sahara Africa and across the globe are expected to witness the inauguration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari on May 29.
This revelation was made by the Chairman, Media and Publicity sub-committee of the 2015 Joint Transition Committee and Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke while briefing newsmen of the level of preparedness of the committee ahead of the inauguration in Abuja.
He said Nigeria being on the threshold of a new democratic culture and dispensation has all eyes fixed on it to do right, which is why the committee is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the nation has a hitchfree transition exercise come May 29th.
“We are here so that Nigerians can be intimated of the level of preparedness of media subcommittee in particular and the transition committee in general.
“Nigeria stands on a threshold of a new democratic dispensation.” And you would agree with me that Nigeria has in recent times become a focal point of political expectations and practise with all eyes fixed on us to get things right”, he said.
He outlined the activities programmed for the inauguration to be such as: “Juma’at service which held yesterday at the National Mosque, Abuja.
“On Sunday, an inter-denominational service will hold at the National Ecumenical Centre also here in Abuja.
“We are expecting at least 50 heads of state from around the world for the inauguration”, he revealed.
He said while both events are open to the general public, the pre-inauguration dinner slated for Thursday, May 28, at the State House Banquet Hall will be strictly by invitation.
He added that the inauguration ceremony will close on Friday, May 29 at the State House Banquet Hall after the swearing in of the new President.
On challenges facing the committee, Edem Duke noted that it has been predominantly in delivering to the Nigerian public a hitch-free inauguration ceremony.
He said: “All we have done and are still doing are with a view to coming out with a modest and problem-free ceremony; so I would say it has been a positive challenge”.
Avoiding to put a specific cost to activities of the committee, Mr. Duke told newsmen that “this is the inauguration of a new President of the biggest black nation on earth. If wishes were horses, we would have an inauguration that will be a pride of the entire black race.
“But the imperatives of the time has made sure that we work on a very stringent budget, and if I should tell you how much, you would certainly be embarrassed”, he said.
He disclosed further that a special attention is being paid to the issue of security.
“All the security agencies are working in close concert to ensure that things are done peacefully, and that’s why we are asking that the all media organisations wishing to cover events leading to the inauguration and the inauguration proper go through clearance and accreditation for the events”, he added.
