Heads Of State Begin To Arrive Nigeria For Centenary Celebrations

More than 12 Heads of State arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's (today) centenary, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.


The visiting Heads of State were received at the airport by some members of the Federal Executive Council.


Those that were received at the airport include Presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibi; Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Yahya Jammeh of Gambia and Prosper Bazombaza of Burundi.



President Helen Sirleaf of Liberia and the former Secretary-General of Organisation for African Union, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, who led the Tanzanian delegation also arrived in Abuja on Wednesday for the celebration.


Also arrived in Abuja were the President of Mauritania, Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz; Ethiopian President, Mr. Hailemarian Desalegh; and the European Union President, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso.


The Zambian Minister of Defence, Mr. Edgar Lungu, will represent the Zambian President, Micheal Saata. Israel is also being represented by its Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Yair Shamir.
An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who did not want to be mentioned, told NAN that 42 Heads of State were being expected to attend the celebration.