By Abayomi Adeshida
President Goodluck Jonathan, American President, Barak Obama, and British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, are among the 40 heads of state and governments from around the world  who have indicated interest in attending the series of a year-long programme that has been lined up for the celebration of the 50th Jubilee National Day and 20th Liberation Anniversary of the State of Kuwait.

Ambassador of the State of Kuwait, Saad Al-Sousi, who made this known in his office yesterday while briefing journalists in his Abuja office, also revealed that eight Nigerian journalists are among the media practitioners from four countries who will be part of the events.

The American government joined forces with the British government to lead an Operation Desert Storm in 1991 to rescue the state of Kuwait from the strong-hold of the then President Saddam Hussein-led Iraqi armed forces; an operation that benefitted Nigeria due to the unprecedented patronage of the nation’s crude oil for the prosecution of the war.

According to the Ambassador, “ the events will start with the raising of the flag on the 26th of January in Kuwait as well as Kuwaiti Embassies around the world and will only be lowered on January 26th, 2012.

“We have sent out 40 invitations to Heads of State and Governments from around the world, and all the 40 dignitaries we invited have indicated interests in coming to honour our invitation.”

“This is a clear indication that the dignitaries who have chosen not to turn down our invitation accept that Kuwait is a stable political country in its region,” Al-Asousi stated.

He further described Nigeria as a special ally of the State of Kuwait, “because of the several cultural, and business similarities between both countries”.

“As we speak now, four Kuwaiti business men are here to explore the business opportunities  in Nigeria so that we can respond positively to the foreign direct investments drive by the government of Nigeria.

“Similarly, we are making arrangements for some Nigerian business men to visit the State of Kuwait to also explore the business opportunities that will interest them in that country.

“The Government of the State of Kuwait has invited the Nigerian media to visit Kuwait and cover the news story, reports and also interview Government Officials on this event.

“The Embassy is organizing an official National day celebration, on this day there will be many Kuwaiti traditional food and traditional outfits; just as we will also organize seminars on the relationship between the State of Kuwait and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Government of the State of Kuwait has also invited 25 delegates from the Ministry of Defence in Nigeria to visit Kuwait and attend a Program which there will benefit and acquire knowledge from the Kuwaiti defence College which is a very unique college,” the Ambassador stated.

Bordered by Iraq on the North and North-Eastern side, the State of Kuwait has the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia located on its South and South-Eastern side with a population of about three and a half million citizens.