President Joe Biden has announced the delegation that will represent the United States at the upcoming inauguration of Bola Tinubu, the President-elect of Nigeria.
News About Nigeria reports that the highly anticipated event will take place on May 29 at Eagle Square in Abuja, and invitations have been extended to 65 world leaders, including Heads of State.
Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, is set to be inaugurated as Nigeria’s 16th President.
The ceremony will be attended by former presidents, diplomats, heads of international organizations, prominent Nigerians, as well as representatives from foreign governments and agencies.
The inauguration proceedings will commence on Thursday with the investiture of Tinubu as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.
In addition, Kashim Shettima, the Vice-President-elect, will be honored as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
A number of representatives from Nigeria’s longstanding allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, Turkey, and others, are expected to attend this prestigious event.
Ahead of the inauguration, President Biden issued a statement on the White House website, unveiling the members of the nine-person delegation that will be present.
The delegation will be led by Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Presidential Delegation includes individuals such as Mr. David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja; The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D), California; The Honorable Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce; General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command; The Honorable Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency; The Honorable Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State; The Honorable Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council; and The Honorable Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development.
The inauguration will be accompanied by a series of events, including a lecture titled ‘Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development,’ to be delivered by former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta on May 27.
Other activities include the Regimental Dinner in honor of the Commander-in-Chief, the Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting, a Public Lecture and Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque, a Children’s Day Parade and Party, as well as an Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre.
The Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre is scheduled for May 28, followed by the official inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the president-elect and vice president-elect on May 29, accompanied by an inauguration parade at Eagle Square.
Furthermore, there will be a post-inauguration luncheon exclusively for the President, fellow presidents, heads of government, and distinguished guests at the State House Banquet Hall.
The presence of international leaders and the comprehensive program of events surrounding the inauguration emphasize the significance of this momentous occasion for Nigeria and its new President.
