The Presidential Transition Council (PTC) yesterday rolled out a programme for the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President on May 29.
The president-elect will be conferred with the highest national award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and vice president-elect will get second highest national award the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday ahead of their oaths taking four days later.
Chairman of the Council and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said many foreign heads of state have been invited and expected to attend.
Speaking to reporters at Aso Villa, the PTC chair said the theme of Tinubu’s and Shettima’s inauguration as the 16th President and Vice President will be: ”Nigeria: better together.”
Pre-inauguration events include a regimental dinner in honour of the Commander in Chief on Tuesday at the Armed Forces Officers Mess at 7pm, and a valedictory Federal Executive Council meeting at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, the next day.
After their investiture with the national honours on Thursday, Tinubu and Shettima will receive the transition documents at the State House Conference Centre at 10am.
On Friday, there will be a public lecture and
Jumaat prayer at the National Mosque at 10am and 1:30pm.
The inauguration lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by former Kenyan President, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, will hold at the International Conference Centre on Saturday at 10am.
Also on Saturday, there will be a children’s day programme involving a parade and a party at the Old Parade Ground 10am and at the State House Conference Centre at 2pm.
On Sunday, an inter-denominational church service will hold at the National Christian Centre at 10 am, followed by the inauguration dinner/gala night at the State House Conference Centre at 7pm.
The main event – the inauguration parade/swearing-in, will take place on May 29, at Eagle Square, at 10am.
There will be a post-inauguration luncheon at the State House Banquet Hall at 1:30 pm.
It will be strictly for the President and his brother presidents, heads of government and his guests.
Mustapha said all events will be broadcast live and streamed on various social media platforms.
He said invitations have been sent to the presidents and heads of government as well as heads of international organisations.
“Many of these invitees have confirmed attendance in person,” the SGF said.
He described the handover as historic for Nigeria, urging citizens to embrace it as “a moment made for togetherness, unity, peace and progress”.
The SGF said adequate security arrangements have been made and restated that nothing would stop the inauguration.
He retreated that inauguration would hold without a doubt.
“Our Constitution and Electoral Act have dealt with that. Our laws are sacrosanct.”
The SGF added that President Buhari has directed all relevant government institutions to cooperate with and support the transition process through engagement with the President-elect’s team.
“It is for this reason that President Buhari among other things, approved the inclusion of the team as part of the Federal Government delegation to the World Bank/IMF Spring meetings in Washington DC in April,” Mustapha said.
National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno (retd), said the committee has concluded arrangements for the accreditation and issuance of passes and identity documents for all security agents.
He advised those that have no business around the vicinity to steer clear.
Munguno said: “My only advice is that if you have no business in security, you need not be near the vicinity of the programme, especially on the Inauguration Day.
“We do not envisage anything that will be adverse. So, I urge everybody to be calm.”
Source: The Nation
