Three of President Goodluck Jonathan’s predecessors - 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. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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The function was for notable and impeccable Nigerians who have no skeleton in their cupboard. Those who avoided the function (except for cogent reasons) are the unpatriotic ex-leaders who pushed us into the situation we found ourselves today. They are now always on the run even if no one chases them.
ReplyDelete@Naijaman Good talk. what permit me to ask what are we celebrating? without mentioning the is it now 29, 39, 49 or even 59 pupils massacred in Yobe, how many more have died since then? Over 300 souls in less than two months, at this rate even Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan will envy us. I am not surprised sha, Last week Friday scores of people were butchered and that did not stop our president from going to do the macabre dance in Owerri after it is just 29 pupils.
DeleteAnd most of those who attends are un reasonable leaders who will never realize how the masses are suffering or how poverty is ravaging the land also they deduced my children was not among the one eliminated by BH therefore I'm happy, I wonder how many of the parents of the departed attended? So before u point evil finger think properly.
ReplyDeleteMark
Naijaman, well said. I agree with you into to.
ReplyDeleteNaijaman, are you sure this 3 men are not up to something in this country? Better advise your GEJ to start packing his garbages from ASO rock.
ReplyDeleteSure they know wat dey are all up 2. But by the grace of God, they shall surely be put 2shame. They are only tryin 2pretend bin patriotic, whereas they are the founders of curruption in Nigeria. Any hw sha dey centenary was a success wit or witout dia presence shikenan.........
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