With 6 Days to Go, 50 Heads of State for Buhari's Inauguration

Muhammadu Buhari President-elect absent at pre-installation Jumat service, travels to UK Jonathan to spend time preaching peaceful co-existence Jaiyeola Andrews, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja With just 6 days to go before the May 29 inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President, about 50 heads of state from across the world have booked their tickets for the event. It also emerged on Friday that President Goodluck Jonathan had slightly re-adjusted his post-presidency plans by adding the preaching of peaceful co-existence across Nigeria to his programme. The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub- Committee of the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke unveiled the attendance list in Abuja while briefing journalists on preparations for the one week programme, which started yesterday with Jumaat prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja. He 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 and at the last count, I think we must have in excess of about 50 heads of state and delegations expected at this inauguration." The minister stressed that a high security strategy was being put in place for a hitch-free inauguration, adding that all invitees for the various segments of the inauguration would be subjected to thorough screening. Duke revealed that some roads in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be blocked on the inauguration day to ensure smooth movement to and from the Eagle Square venue of the inauguration. The security agencies, he said, were working in close concert to ensure that there is absolutely no threat to the security of this inauguration. "Arrangements are been made to screen all the invitees long before the access the perimeters of the location," he said. Speaking further, the minister emphasised that not all residents of the city need to throng the venue of the inauguration as big screens would be stationed at various points in the city to beam live proceedings of the inauguration. In a related development, the Minister denied reports in a section of the media claiming that the inauguration would gulp N3 billion. According to him, "less than N2 billion will be spent for a befitting inauguration". Jonathan Modifies Plans, Now to Spend Time Preaching Peaceful Co-existence… President Goodluck Jonathan has slightly re-adjusted his post-Presidency plans by adding the preaching of peaceful co-existence across Nigeria to his programme. THISDAY had last week reported that Jonathan had mapped out his post-presidency plans which include playing the role of a global statesman and devoting his time to global peace initiatives using his experience as a model. The President yesterday said he would be talking to faithful of all religions – Christians, Muslims and others – on the need for Nigerians to live in peace. Jonathan made the disclosure after he was presented with the 2015 Epitome of Peace Award by the Field Superintendent of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory Field, Apostle John Buzu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said: “All of us do a number of things every day. People have saved this country; we don't even know some of them or what they did but some people are a bit luckier that their actions are noticed and sometimes rewarded. “You have also noticed me with my little contribution, not just because I am the President of the country but because of an action I took that you believed saved lives and you are honouring me. “To whom much is given, much is expected. For you to honour me today, you have given me another mandate to work harder to ensure that we as Nigerians continue to live in peace. "One thing I have decided I will do after leaving office is to be talking to faithful of all religions: Christians, Muslims and other religions, on the need for Nigerians to live in peace. “This is because when there is crisis in any part of the country, nobody can practice his own religion. If there is crisis anywhere, people cannot go to the mosque; they cannot go to the church.” He added that there was the need for peace in the country, no matter the religion persuasion or belief. "That will be one of my main commitments when I leave office: to reduce discrimination in this country based on religious divides or ethnicity. I believe I will have so many apostles that will follow me. "I thank you for your decoration. I am grateful for the insignia given to me: the plaque, the medal and the dress are quite unique. "They will be very conspicuous in my presidential museum or library so that even after 50 years, people will still see and appreciate what you have done today even if I have left this world and have gone beyond, what you have done will still be displayed in my library for people to see" the president stressed.” His post-presidency plan, the source said, would commence immediately after he hands over on May 29 to Buhari. His itinerary as revealed include a tour of some African countries, earthquake devasted Nepal, a trip he is said to have planned before the earthquake and a medical check-up in Germany. It was also gathered that Jonathan plans to document his experience in government, challenges and triumph. The source said the President would commence work on the book when he returns from the trip abroad. He is expected to follow the example of other world leaders delivering lectures around the world. President-elect Absent At Jumat Service, Travels to UK… The President-elect billed to attend a special Jumat prayer service at the National Mosque in Abuja yesterday failed to show-up. THISDAY gathered that Buhari travelled out of Abuja to London at about mid-day on Friday. Spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Council, Garba Shehu confirmed that Buhari was in the UK on a private visit. Shehu said Buhari would use the opportunity of the visit to take a much-deserved rest ahead of his inauguration on May 29th. ''He is expected back in the country a few days before the inauguration, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running once he is sworn into office,'' he said. Buhari was represented by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar at the service. Speaking to Journalists shortly after the service, Atiku said Buhari was unavoidably absent. “The prayers have gone on very well, we are grateful for all the support and co-operation of all Nigerians. We have prayed to have a successful transfer of power on the Inauguration Day which is on the 29th of May this year insha Allah," he said