Zimpapers Logo

to witness the swearing in of President Goodluck Jonathan as the 14th Nigerian president in Abuja on Sunday.
Among the luminaries at the ceremony at Abuja’s Eagle Square were former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Dr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings.

Other former Nigerian military and civilian rulers also attended the ceremony which coincided with the country’s Democracy Day.
The Democracy Day commemorates the end of military rule in Nigeria following the first general elections to usher in civilian rule in 1999.
Celebrations for the day were preceded by various activities around Nigeria including public lectures, dinners, church services and fireworks displays that illuminated the night skies in central Abuja as the West

African state celebrated what has been dubbed a “dawn of a new era” in Nigeria.
The swearing in ceremony was marked by drills from the Nigerian Defence Forces while school children from across Nigeria entertained the crowds through mass displays.

The Nigerian Air Force also had a fly-past, displaying its old fleet of fighter jets in a sequence that moved from the yester-year planes to the latest fighter jets and helicopters in the country.
In his inaugural speech, President Jonathan hailed Nigerians for enthusiastically participating in the April 16 elections.

“A total of 72 million eligible voters showed their enthusiasm to participate in the election and registered as voters.
“This has encouraged the nation in its endeavour to be strong in its push for democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

President Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to keep their unity to achieve economic development in the country.
He said his election as president of Nigeria has ushered in an era of transformation.

“Today marks the day of transformation in Nigeria and my government would not let divisions in the country affect the realisation of development goals.”
The former vice president bemoaned the violence that rocked the nation ahead of the presidential poll.

He pledged to create a conducive environment for the economic development of Nigeria.
He said his four-year tenure would focus on development of infrastructure, improving education standards, food security through agriculture and job creation.

President Jonathan, however, called for the speedy resolution of the conflict in the Niger Delta.
He also called for a conceited fight against corruption in Nigeria.

President Jonathan said his government would continue to support to global peace and security.

President Mugabe, who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, was met at the Harare International Airport by Vice President John Nkomo, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chief Secretary to the Presidency and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, service chiefs and senior Government officials.