Nigeria to Host 28 World Leaders for Centenary Celebrations

1. Abuja- According to The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, no fewer than 28 world leaders had indicated interest in attending Nigeria's centenary celebration.
   
   "As at date, we have recorded about 28 heads of government, 28 countries have indicated interest to participate in the summit, majority of whom are heads of governments of those countries plus heads of other international organisations," he said.
   
   He said the theme of Nigeria's centenary celebration is designed to reflect the key concepts of unity, indivisibility, virility, progress, and promise of the Nigerian federation.
   
   He said that government had set up a Board of Trustees headed by former Head of State Yakubu Gowon to manage funds that would be realised from the Centenary Fund Raising Ball to be held on Feb. 25 in Lagos, to kick-start activities for the celebration.
   
   “There is going to be a centenary lottery and the proceeds will go to support this celebration and all the telecom companies and every Nigerian are being encouraged to be part if this programme.``
   
   He said that the programme would end with a thanksgiving service at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.
   
   Mr Labaran Maku, also addressing newsmen said the celebration will also “sell Nigeria to the world by exposing opportunities for investments in Agriculture, Power, Manufacturing and all other areas, to show hope to investors that this country is worth investing in,`` he said.
   
   Maku added that other highlights of the celebration would include honours to be conferred on 100 Nigerians, 40 per cent of whom would be posthumous, for people who had made contributions to the development and sustenance of the country in the last 100 years.
   
   The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed, disclosed that over 25, 000 persons were expected to witness some of the events, including the multi-media show at the national stadium, Abuja
   
   He also announced that the venues, including the National Stadium Abuja, the International Conference Centre, Abuja and the venues for the religious services had since been renovated and made ready for the events