From left, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders; former US president, Mr George Bush; Acting President Goodluck Jonathan; former Secretary of State, Ms Condoleeza Rice; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, during a visit to the acting president, at Aguda House, Abuja, on Sunday.
Hosted by a Nigerian newspaper mogul Nduka Obaigbena, the ceremony included an award for former anti-corruption investigator Nuhu Ribadu, who investigated top ruling-party politicians. But family members had to accept the award for Ribadu who left Nigeria for the United States after being fired from his job and the target of a drive-by shooting.
From left, Condoleezza Rice, Blair, Nigeria's speaker of parliament Dimeji Bankole, Bush and Nigeria's foreign minister Ojo Maduekwe pose for the cameras during yesterday's ceremony in Abuja
Bush visited Jonathan at his Aguda House presidential villa, to congratulate his host, noting that the circumstances that brought Jonathan to office were unexpected. However, Bush said: ‘Sometimes in life, the unexpected happens.’ He added: ‘We wish you all the best, even though we know it is not an easy job. With God’s grace and the support of your team, you will succeed.’
Jonathan also used the occasion to call on the American government to consider de-listing Nigeria from countries of interest in the global war against terrorism. And he assured his guests about the commitment of the government to conduct a free and fair election in Nigeria in 2011. ‘I can assure you that come 2011, Nigeria’s elections will be credible. We will do everything possible to overhaul the electoral process and leave a lasting legacy in our political history,’ he said.
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1 comments:
are we sure they actually came for just an award?
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