Twenty-eight world leaders have indicated interest to be guests of Nigeria during the activities marking the country’s Centenary celebrations.
The event kicks off on February 25 in Lagos with a fundraising dinner and will be climaxed by an international conference on Human Security and Sustainable Development in Africa, scheduled for Abuja.
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday devoted its entire session to preparations for the celebration.
According to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, the president will present the lead paper at the conference.
He reiterated that the celebration would be wholly funded by the private sector, even though government is expected to cater for President Jonathan’s international guests.
“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