Three of President Goodluck Jonathan’s successors-ex-President Olusegun
Obasanjo; ex-Heads of State, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and Gen.
Ibrahim Babangida – as well as President of the Senate, David Mark, were on
Thursday absent from the country’s centenary being held in Abuja.
They did not attend the international conference held as part of
activities marking the centenary, which was attended by about 30 heads of
governments and international organisations.
But another three former leaders, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu
Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan, as well as ex-Vice President Alex Ekwueme
and a former Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd.) attended the
event.
The conference tagged, “Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda
for 21st Century Africa” was held under tight security at the International
Conference Centre, Abuja.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; state
governors; security chiefs; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief
Emeka Anyaoku; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu
Muazu; the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih;
members of the diplomatic corps, members of the National Assembly, members of
the Federal Executive Council and other top government officials.
The heads of governments in their goodwill messages commiserated with
the Federal Government and Nigerians on the Tuesday killing of schoolchildren
in the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State.
They urged Nigerians to unite against terrorists, saying no nation could
develop in an atmosphere of violence.
Meanwhile, civil servants and other workers with offices located on
Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District Abuja, the same neighbourhood
with the venue of the event had difficulties accessing their offices on
Thursday because of the tight security.
Many of them were forced to park away and trek to their offices as
traffic was diverted.
Armed security operatives were deployed at strategic points in the area.
I love their action. What are we celebrating? Is it the recent killing of the innocent school children or the adoption of their female counterparts? Only fool and the hungry leaders will be happy to attend such meeting. But for the brave ones like IBB, Obj, Buhari and David Mark, nothing to celebrate. And I'm sure the blood of the innocent student will never rest because GEJ used them for sacrifice, all in the name of Centenary.
ReplyDeleteS.O.R.
You have the wrong mindset, they did not attend because they are APC and also sponsors or the Boko Haram, all of them shed blood of the innocent than GEJ, IBB killed in dozens, the military air crash in Ejibo Lagos, Dele Giwa and lots of them, pls remove sentiments out of yourself, for me personally both marking our independence celebration or this centinery makes no sense to me, but which ever way the govt. in power wheather they are doing well or not will mark it with heavy celebration and will sink billions of naira and the poor masses are suffering, both don't compare GEJ and IBB/Buhari when it comes to shedding blood.
DeleteThe people that did not attend know that it is not ueful bcus we have more pressing issues to attend than the celebration. They provde security for themselves but they can't help defenseless people in the state of emergency area. Rubbish Govt
ReplyDeleteThey were absent? and so what? The conference was a success without them.
ReplyDeleteCallous Jonathan does not care . All he is after is how to rig 2015 election . The spirit of these children will trouble him to death. Amen.
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