No fewer than 28 world leaders have indicated interest to attend Nigeria’s Centenary celebration, which kick-off on February 25, with a fundraising dinner.
Briefing State House correspondents at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim PiusAnyim, said the activities marking the celebration will be climaxed by an international conference on Human Security and Sustainable Development in Africa, billed for Abuja.
According to Anyim, President Goodluck Jonathan will present the lead paper at the conference, restating that the celebration will be funded solely by the private sector.
His words, “For the first time in our history, we are embarking on celebration funded by the private sector,” he said, adding that the Centenary celebration is aimed at highlighting the achievements of Nigeria as a nation in the past 100 years”.
Each state of the Federation, the SGF said has been mandated to sponsor 200 persons including one traditional ruler to the Abuja event.
Also speaking, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, assured that adequate security measures would be put in place to ensure hitch-free celebration.
“The occasion will be an opportunity to encourage the world to come and invest in the country. What is being presented has nothing to do with campaign or politics but policy reforms and their impact on the people.”
Speaking on the entertainment side of it, Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the main musical concert scheduled for the National Stadium Abuja will involve multimedia presentation of the progress of Nigeria in the last 100 years and is expected to attract 25,000 people.
He said the multimedia event will be handled by the same group which put together the opening ceremony of London Olympics.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, will head the committee that will oversee fundraising at the gala night scheduled for Eko Convention Centre in Lagos next Tuesday
