Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was on Sunday inaugurated at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the capital city.
At a colourful ceremony attended by 38 heads of governments, the Bayelsa State born politician who first became President after the death of the former President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua last year, promised to transform the country.
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| Photo: President Goodluck Jonathan(left) taking oath of office on Sunday. With him, Registrar of Supreme Court Mr Oladahunsi and Chief Justice of the Federation Justice Aloysious Kastina Alu at during the inauguration of the President at Eagle Square Abuja on 29/05/2011. |
The President’s ceremonial oath taking and appending of signature preceded by that of his vice, Namadi Sambo were conducted between 12.45pm and ended 1pm.
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| The Nigeria President and the First Lady. |
In his inaguration speech, he made case for technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organizations. He said his administration portended a new era for Africa while Nigeria will lead the process for democracy and development in the continent.
“The moment is right. The signs are heart-warming. We are ready to take off on the path of sustained growth and economic development. In our economic strategy, there will be appropriate policy support to the real sector of the economy, so that Small and Medium Enterprises may thrive. Nigeria is blessed
with enormous natural wealth, and my Administration will continue to encourage locally owned enterprises to take advantage of our resources in growing the domestic economy. A robust private sector is vital to providing jobs for our rapidly expanding population. But this must be a collaborative effort,” he said.
“We must form technical and financial partnerships with global businesses and organizations. We live in an age where no country can survive on its own; countries depend on each other for economic well-being. Nigeria is no different. Returns on investment in Nigeria remain among the highest in the world. We will continue to welcome sustainable investment in our economy.
“We will push programs and policies that will benefit both local and foreign businesses, but we must emphasize mutual benefits and win-win relationships. The overall ongoing reforms in the banking and financial sectors are therefore designed to support the real sector of the economy.
Among the heads of governments who graced the occasion include the President of Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sao-Tome and Principe, Liberia, Senegal, South Africa, Republic of Niger, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Cote de’ Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo -Brazzaville Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Gabon, Guinea -Conakry, Mauritania, Namibia, Rwanda, Saharawi Republic, Mali, Togo, Ghana, Gambia, Zambia, Benin and Chad.
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| All hail Nigeria's first family |
The visiting vice Presidents include, the Federal Republic of Korea, Burundi, Gambia, Kenya and Tanzania and former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda.
Also present were the Prime Ministers of Swaziland, Georgia and Ethiopia The Mayor of Dallas in the United States of America was also present. Ghana former President, Jerry Rawlings and his wife were also present.
Former Nigerian presidents and Head of States, present were Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu
Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar as well as former Vice President Alex Ekuweme.
State governors across Nigeria also took their oath of office today. The governors of Imo and Ogun States, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim and Mr. Olugbenga Justin Daniel, did not attend the swearing-in ceremonies in their states having fled days before. ??In Oyo State, the outgoing governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, did not attend the swearing in ceremony of his successor in Ibadan, but reportedly made a surprise appearance in Ogbomosho, his home town, for a thanksgiving church service
Story by Victor Iluyemi (info@worldstagegroup.com)
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