US Releases Delegation List For Tinubu’s Inauguration

• As FG invites 65 world leaders, past presidents, diplomats

BY EDMOND ODOK – The United States (US) President, Joe Biden, has named a nine-member delegation to attend the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A statement released on the White House website on Monday night indicated the delegation will be led by Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.

This is as information emerged that the Federal Government has invited about 65 world leaders, including Heads of State, to grace the ceremony.

Aside from the leader, Marcia L. Fudge, members of the US Presidential delegation include Mr David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja; Hon Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D), California; Hon Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce; General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command; and Hon Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

Others are Hon Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Hon Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council; and Hon Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development.

Meanwhile, past presidents, diplomats, heads of international organisations and prominent Nigerians and representatives of foreign governments and agencies are also expected to grace the nation’s seventh transition ceremony that will usher in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was the Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, as Nigeria’s 16th President.

Also scheduled to attend the high-profile event are representatives of Nigeria’s traditional allies such as the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan, China, Germany, and Finland among several others

According to the inauguration programmes of activities, there will be the Valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting at the Council Chambers inside the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, May 24; while Thursday, May 25 will witness the investiture of President-elect Tinubu with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, as the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON).

Similarly, other events lined up for the inauguration include a Public Lecture and Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque on Friday, May 26; the Children’s Day Parade and Party on Saturday, May 27; a lecture titled, ‘Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development’ that would be delivered by former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on May 27; and an Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre on Sunday, May 28.

Also, the Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre is billed for May 28 while the inauguration/swearing-in of the president-elect and the vice president-elect will take place on May 29 accompanied by an inauguration parade at the Eagle Square.

A post-inauguration luncheon strictly for the President with his colleague Presidents, Heads of Government and guests will hold at the State House Banquet Hall after the inauguration ceremony.