Abuja - World leaders paid tribute to Nigeria on Thursday as the West African country kicked off a centenary celebration of the 1914 amalgamation of its southern and northern protectorates into a full blown colony of former British administrators.
South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and French President Francois Hollande were among those who attended the celebrations.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared the four-day event open with an international conference on security.
Hollande, who was a guest speaker, spoke extensively on the theme "Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for the 21st Century".
More than 28 world leaders who attended the event or sent delegations were given the opportunity to deliver goodwill messages to Nigeria.
Apart from congratulating Africa's most populous country on its journey so far as a nation with unity in diversity, all the speakers commiserated with Nigeria on the recent attack by suspected terrorists who struck a local government college in the northeast Yobe State and killed scores of innocent students.
They condemned the killing in strong terms and called for a more concerted effort in combating activities of extremists in Nigeria, Africa and the world in general.
Some of the world leaders also lauded Nigeria for its leadership role in Africa, sacrifices made by the country, its citizens and support given to sister African nations in times of need in the last 100 years and its frontal role in world peace and harmony.
A total of 100 personalities, including past military and civilian leaders, drawn from various categories of national development strides, are to receive honours at a banquet on Friday.
The award will be given in commemoration of the centenary celebration and in recognition of the individuals' efforts toward the development of the West African country.
Queen Elizabeth II of England and Lord Fredrick Lugard, former British colonial administrator at the time of the amalgamation, are expected to be honoured posthumously. They are among the international personalities to be honoured at the event.
The centenary celebration are due to end on Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua
