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.