No fewer than 50 world leaders are expected to
attend the inauguration of the President-elect,
Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday next week.
The Chairman of the 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 on Friday.
Activities for the inauguration began on Friday
with a Jumaat prayer at the National Central
Mosque, Abuja.
Duke said invitation cards had been sent to all
the 54 countries in the Africa and other countries
of the world.
He stated, “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 about 50 Heads of State and
delegation expected at this inauguration.”
According to him, a high security strategy is
being put in place for a hitch-free exercise.
Duke stated that all invitees for the various
segments of the inauguration would be
thoroughly screened to avoid what happened
during the 50th independence anniversary of
Nigeria in 2010, when there was a bomb blast
near Eagle Square.
The minister said some roads in the Federal
Capital Territory would be blocked on the
inauguration day to ensure smooth movement 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 security of this 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 activities of
the swearing-in, especially. So people don’t need
to come to the Eagle Square if they don’t have
invitation cards,” the minister added.
He also denied a media 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?”
When asked to disclose the exact amount, the
minister declined.
http://www.punchng.com/news/over-50-world-leaders-to-attend-buharis-inauguration/

its finally time for change 2 come