Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria on the occasion of the nation’s centenary celebrations, the Presidency, has said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a statement, said that the written message was delivered to the president late on Wednesday.
Abati, in the statement issued on Thursday, said that the message was delivered by Britain’s Minister for Africa, Mr. Mark Simmonds.
He said that the Queen conveyed her best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Nigeria.
“On the occasion of the Republic of Nigeria celebrating 100 years since the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, I send the people of Nigeria my warmest congratulations.
“I have fond memories of my first visit to Nigeria in 1956 and again in 2003 as Head of the Commonwealth. The links between our two countries have deepened over the past 100 years and I hope they will continue to do so.
“I would like to convey my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Nigeria,” the British monarch wrote.
In the same vein, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia on Thursday in Abuja also commended Nigeria for its role in liberating her country from the clutches of war.
Johnson-Sirleaf was speaking at the Nigeria’s Centenary International Summit with the theme: “Human Security, Peace and Development: An Agenda for Africa”.
She also thanked President Jonathan for spearheading various peace and reconciliation missions across African continent.
‘‘In achieving goals set out in ‘Liberia rising 2030’, a long term vision of socio-economic transformation and development which seeks to make the country a more prosperous and inclusive state.
“A decade of unbroken and sustained peace was made possible through determined domestic efforts and significant regional support for which Nigeria was key and international support including a United Nations Peace Keeping mission’’, she said.
Johnson-Sirleaf, who narrated the efforts of her administration in ensuring peace, reconciliation and sustained economic development in Liberia, said the administration was encouraging an all-inclusive government to enhance political stability.
According to her, after about 10 years of peace, the risk of going back to war in Liberia is less.
She called on African countries to continue to promote economic integration for the general progress of the continent.
She condoled with the government and people of Nigeria over the recent killing of some students by members of Boko Haram.
Also speaking, the President of Malawi, Mrs Joyce Banda, praised Nigeria for its contributions towards peace and development on the continent.
Her words: “Nigeria has taken the lead in bringing peace and stability through peaceful negotiation in neighbouring countries within ECOWAS.
“Nigeria was one of the key players in conflict resolution in Cote d’Ivoire, the Darfur and Mali.’’
She, therefore, appealed to Nigeria to keep up its leadership role in Africa.
President Jammeh Yahyah of Gambia also lauded Nigeria for her numerous contributions to liberation struggles and peace initiatives in Africa.
Although about 44 heads of governments and international organisations, including former Presidents of Nigeria namely, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd), were present; former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were noticeably absent.
Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has saluted past Nigerian heads of state and presidents who will be honoured as outstanding promoters of unity and national development by the President, stating that their selfless and proactive contributions made Nigeria attain the height it has reached.
The forum described the past leaders of the nation as “true sons of the nation’s founding fathers.”
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said the nations former leaders from General Gowon through General Babangida to ex-President Yar’Adua, had impacted positively on the development of Africa’s most influential nation through their rare vision and good leadership.
“If our past leaders had not been selfless and proactive, Nigeria would not have attained the height it has reached, and Nigerians would have been the worse for it” , Aliyu stated.
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