50 presidents to attend Buhari ’s inauguration

 

No fewer than 50 presidents and heads of
government across the globe will attend the
inauguration ceremony of the incoming administration
of President - elect , Muhammadu Buhari .
The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-
Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning
Committee, Chief Edem Duke , disclosed this yesterday
while briefing journalists in Abuja on the preparations
for the event .
The one- week programme began yesterday with
Jumaat prayer at the National Central Mosque , Abuja .
According to him, invitation cards have been
dispatched to all the 54 countries in the African
continent and other countries around the world.
Duke , who is also the Minister of Culture and
Tourism , said: “ As we speak , the 54 countries of the
continent of Africa have been invited. Very many of
the heads of state will be coming .
“ There has been a huge interest , especially from
heads of countries in Europe , to attend this
inauguration. At the last count , I think we must have
in excess of 50 heads of state and delegations
expected at this inauguration. ”
Stressing that a high security strategy is being put in
place for a hitch - free inauguration, he said that all
invitees for the various segments of the inauguration
will be subjected to thorough screening .
He said some roads in the Federal Capital Territory
( FCT) will be blocked on the inauguration day to
ensure smooth movement to and from the Eagle
Square venue of the inauguration.
He said : “ The security agencies are working in close
concert to ensure that there is absolutely no threat to
the security of this inauguration . ”
“ Arrangements are being made to screen all the
invitees long before they access the perimeters of the
location . ”
He also pointed out that not all residents of the city
need to throng the venue of the inauguration as big
screens will be stationed at various points of the city
to beam live proceedings of the inauguration.
“ 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 swearing- in especially. So , people
don ’ t need to come to the Eagle Square if they don ’ t
have invitation cards . ”
The Minister also denied the media report claiming
that the inauguration will gulp N 3 billion. According
to him, less than N 2 billion will be spent for a
befitting inauguration.
Co - Chairman of the sub- committee , Chief Pius
Akinyelure said that everything is being put in place
to achieve the overall objectives of the committee .
On his part , a member of the committee , Senator -
elect Dino Malaye said: “ We are very ready and we
have worked with the outgoing government to ensure
we have a befitting inauguration. ”