The President, Muhammadu Buhari is set to bestow national honours upon President-elect Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, the vice-president-elect, during a ceremony on Thursday, May 25.
The prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) will be conferred upon Tinubu, while Shettima will be honored with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Boss Mustapha, the chairman of the presidential transition committee and secretary to the government of the federation, made the announcement on Thursday.
He emphasized the historical significance of the event for Nigeria and the international community, especially Africa, due to the democratic values and nation-building lessons it embodies. The committee selected “Nigeria: Better Together” as the theme for the 2023 transition in recognition of these reasons.
The GCFR is Nigeria’s highest national honor and is typically reserved for Presidents.
Mustapha further revealed that there would be an official handover of transition documents to the incoming administration, underscoring that this presidential transition would be the most organized and seamless in the history of Nigeria, thanks to Executive Order 14 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
To commemorate the occasion, an inaugural lecture will be delivered on May 27 by Uhuru Kenyatta, the former President of Kenya. The lecture aims to provide valuable insights and perspectives on governance and leadership.
Executive Order 14, signed by President Buhari in February, has established a legal framework to facilitate and manage presidential transitions effectively. This order ensures a smooth transfer of power from one administration to another.
Addressing concerns regarding protests against the inauguration of Tinubu and Shettima as President and Vice-President respectively, Mustapha asserted confidently, “Let me say without any fear of contradiction, there will be an inauguration on the 29th of May.”
He reassured the public that despite ongoing litigation, the constitutional provisions and electoral act have dealt with such matters, underscoring the sanctity of Nigeria’s laws.
Tinubu’s official swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 29 at Eagle Square in Abuja, marking a momentous occasion in the nation’s history.
Comments are closed.