African leaders on Thursday in Abuja, commended Nigeria's role in
providing leadership for the African continent as the country marked its
100 years of existence.
The leaders, who spoke at the Nigeria's
centenary lecture titled "Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda
for 21st Century in Africa'', were unanimous in their commendation for
Nigeria.
President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, said: "We
salute the tenacity, the solidarity and commitment to peace that Nigeria
has demonstrated in the peacekeeping operations.
"We will continue to partner with Nigeria because we believe that Nigeria will overcome any challenge that she faces currently.
"We support the effort of the government in striving to put to an end to the insurgency in some parts of this country," he said.
President
Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, said that Nigeria had invested human, financial
and material resources to bind the continent together.
Jammeh,
who earned a standing ovation for his eulogy of Nigeria's qualities,
opportunities and continued leadership role, said Nigeria held the key
to the continued relevance of the continent on the global map.
He
noted the challenges that the country had survived in the last 100
years and said Nigeria had better opportunities as one united entity.
In
her goodwill message, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia,
particularly commended Nigeria's role in restoring peace, security and
enthroning democracy in her country.
President Joyce Banda of
Malawi was also full of praises for Nigeria for its commitment to peace,
security and the development of the continent.
Banda, who joined
her Liberian counterpart to condemn the recent Boko Haram attack on
students, expressed confidence in the ability of Nigeria to realise its
greatness in spite of the security challenges.
In his goodwill
message, the President of Arab Sahawari Democratic Republc, Mohammed
Abdelaziz, congratulated Nigeria for surviving 100 years of nationhood.
Abdelaziz,
whose country's independence day celebration was today, had marked the
day on Wednesday to enable him to attend Nigeria's centenary
celebration.
All the African leaders and their Western
counterparts were unanimous in their condemnation of the recent killing
of students in Yobe and pledged their continued friendship and
solidarity with Nigeria.
