President Goodluck Jonathan's inauguration in Abuja, Nigeria

Abuja — At least 32 Heads of States of Governments yesterday attended the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the next four years in office.

The leaders of these countries arrived at Eagle Square in their separate vehicles manned by specially-trained personnel from the Conference Visitors Unit (CVU) and a retinue of security operatives specially assigned to provide security to them.

President of Peoples Republic of China, Hu Jin Toa was the first that arrived at the venue followed by the Malian President, Alhaji Amadou Toure who arrived in the company of former Zimbabwean President, Dr. Kenneth Kuanda.

Other presidents that were at the Eagle Square to witness the occasion were, the South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma; Mauritanian President, Mohammed Aziz; Malawian President, Bingu Mutharika; Liberian President, Mrs. Hellen Sirleaf; Bony Yayi of Benin Republic; Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and Alassane Quattara the newly-sworn-in President of Cote D'Ivoire.

Other heads of government include Prof. John Atta Mills of Ghana; Pieere Nkurinziza of Bueundi; Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Guinea Bissau President, Makm Sanha; President of Burkinafaso, Blaise Compore; Congo-Kinshasha President, Joseph Kabila; Trinidad and Tobago President, George Richard; Viktor Yoweri Museveveni of Uganda and other representatives of some foreign countries and most of the diplomats serving in the country.

Notable Nigerians at the event were, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; Senate President, Sen. David Mark; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Usman Nafada and Head of Service of the Federation (HOS), Professor Oladapo Afolabi.

Though major opponent to President Jonathan in the Presidential Election, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari who contested the election on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) as well as the former Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Mr. Nuhu Ribadu of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) were visibly absent, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former President Shehu Shagari, former Military Head of States, Gen. Yakubu Gown and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, graced the occasion.

In addition, former Interim President, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko were there, just as virtually all members of the out-going Federal Executive Council, turned up at the event.

Children from select schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) made exhilarating calisthenics display, spelling "Goodluck Jonathan" in the process. There was also aerial display by the Nigerian Air Force which also thrilled the audience.