50 world leaders to embrace Buhari’s inauguration

Firstclass newsline gathered that he Chairman, Media and Publicity
Sub- Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee and
Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, stated this at a
news conference in Abuja.
Activities for the inauguration began on Friday with a Jumaat prayer
at the National Central Mosque, Abuja.
Duke said invitation cards had been dispatched to all the 54 countries
in Africa and other countries of the world.
He stated, "As we speak, the 54 countries of the continent of Africa
have been invited. There has been a huge interest, especially from
heads of countries in Europe to attend this inauguration.
"At the last count, we have in excess of about 50 heads of state and
delegation expected at this inauguration."
According to the minister, a high security strategy is being put in
place for a hitch-free inauguration.
Duke said all invitees for the various segments of the inauguration
would be subjected to a thorough screening to avoid what happened
during the 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria when there was a
bomb blast near the Eagle Square.
The minister said some roads in the Federal Capital Territory would be
blocked on the inauguration day to ensure smooth movements to and from
the Eagle Square, venue of the inauguration.
Duke said, "The security agencies are working in close concert to
ensure that there is absolutely no threat to the inauguration.
Arrangements are being made to screen all the invitees long before
they access the perimeters of the location."
He also stated that television screens would be placed in strategic
places in the Federal Capital Territory for uninvited people to watch
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. So, people don't need to come to the Eagle Square if they
are not invited."
Duke also denied a report claiming that the inauguration would gulp N3bn.
According to him, less than N2bn will be spent for a befitting inauguration.
He said, "If we tell you the amount we are spending, you will be
shocked. We are not even spending N3bn, not even up to N2bn. In any
case, if we tell you, what are you going to do with it?"
The Co-Chairman of the sub-committee, Chief Pius Akinyelure, said
everything was being put in place to achieve the overall objectives of
the committee.
On his part, a member of the committee and Senator-elect, Dino Malaye,
said, "We are very ready and we have worked with the outgoing
government to ensure we have a befitting inauguration."
Firstclassnewsline.net