Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, many dignitaries, representatives of foreign governments, diplomats and heads of international organisations began arriving in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Sunday.
The United States delegation led by the US Secretary for Housing, Secretary Marcia Fudge touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The US Mission confirmed her arrival in a tweet on its official Twitter handle, @UsinNigeria.
Also, the Canadian delegation, led by the Canadian Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Hussein Ahmed has arrived in the country. This was disclosed by the Canadian High Commission on Twitter @CanadaInNigeria.
Also, the Presidents of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune; Paul Kagame (Rwanda); Adamu Barrow (Gambia); Denis Nguesso Congo Barazzaville); Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi) are also in the country for the ceremony.
Others are the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo; President Samia Hassan of Tanzania, and her Chadian counterpart, Mahamat Déby, among others.
A delegation from France led by the Minister Delegate for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou has also been confirmed to have arrived in Abuja.
Similarly, the Defence Minister of India, Mr Rajnath Singh, has landed in Abuja for the inauguration ceremony. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs of India.
A statement from the Indian High Commission noted that the defence minister’s visit reflected the growing bilateral relations between India and Nigeria and signifies India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.
It said, ‘’Mr Singh is the senior most minister in the Government of India. Sending such a senior minister to Nigeria as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India reflects India’s commitment to the deep-rooted bilateral relations with Nigeria.’’- Punch