Paris, France, to join other world leaders that are participating
in a summit on peace and security in Africa.
Also the President has declared three days of national
mourning for former South African President, Dr. Nelson
Mandela who passed away yesterday.
Flags are to be flown at half-mast across Nigeria during the
period and President Jonathan urges all Nigerians to unite in
solidarity with the brotherly people of South Africa as they
mourn the great liberator, freedom fighter and hero of the
black race.
The President also calls for special prayers in mosques and
churches in Nigeria during the period of mourning which
begins today, for the peaceful repose of Dr. Mandela's soul.
A special inter-denominational memorial service for Dr.
Mandela will be held at the State House Chapel on Sunday.
The president and his entourage arrived at a Military Airforce
Base in Paris at about 10.30 a.m.
Jonathan was accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience
and some Presidential Aides.
He was received at the airport by the Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, and the Nigerian
Ambassador to France, Mr Hakeem Suleiman.
No fewer than 50 Heads of State and Government are
participating in the Elysee Palace Summit being hosted by
President Francois Hollande of France.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, heads of European
institutions and leaders of Africa's sub-regional and
continental organisations such as the AU and ECOWAS are
also participating in the summit.
The summit is scheduled to discuss peace and security in
Africa, economic partnership, sustainable development and
climate change.
Hollande and Mrs Valerie Trierweiler are billed to host all
heads of delegation to the summit and their spouses to a state
dinner.
Nigeria's first lady Patiece will participate in an advocacy
meeting on sexual violence against women in conflict to be
hosted by Trierweiler at the Orsay Museum in Paris.
It will be recalled that the president and the first lady had on
Tuesday left Abuja for Paris, but had a stopover in Germany
for a private visit.
Via: (NAN)
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