By Okey Ndiribe
No fewer than 15 Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan for a fresh term of four years on Sunday. Among those expected to grace the occasion is President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda whose inauguration President Jonathan attended few weeks ago.

This was disclosed Monday by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, SGF, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies Committee over  which he presides.

The SGF further stated that about N830 million was budgeted for the ceremony but added that this amount might be exceeded slightly in the execution of the committee’s duties.

In response to a question, the SGF  said the Federal Government would offer automatic employment to members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who were injured during the post election violence which consumed about 10 of them in Bauchi State.

He further stated that the Committee had already invited all the presidential candidates and leaders of the 63 political parties in the country to participate in the ceremony.

The SGS also  stated that  Monday’s  press briefing marked the commencement of  major activities lined up for the inauguration ceremony.

According to the schedule of activities, the President  would have  a special session with youths  and Corporate Nigeria in Lagos today.  On Wednesday, there would be an unveiling of  the President’s portrait at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre  Abuja, while an inauguration lecture by a distinguished scholar would be delivered next Thursday also in the Federal Capital. There would also be a banquet for women at the Banquet Hall of the State House by the First lady Dame Patience Jonathan that same day.

On Friday, there would be an Islamic Jumaat service for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria as well as a march past by Nigerian children to  mark the children’s day. There would also be a special session of the Children’s Parliament on same day.

On May 28, there would be a football match between Enyimba Football Club of Aba and Kano Pillars at the National Stadium, Abuja. On that same day, there would be a special church service  that would be attended by the President  at the National Christian Worship Centre, Abuja.

There would also be a Presidential Inauguration Banquet at the State House on the same day. In the evening, musical/cultural and fireworks display would take place  at the Eagle Square, Abuja. All these activities would culminate with the swearing in of President Jonathan on May 29, 2011.