Nigeria on Wednesday was represented by a Federal Government delegation led by Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo at the 50th independence anniversary celebration of the Republic of The Gambia.
Other Members of the delegation included the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina.
The colorful ceremony which held at the Independence Stadium in Banjul the Gambian capital saw march past by military, paramilitary and other security institutions.
President of The Gambian Republic Sheik, Professor, Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, took the salute at about 1.30 pm. Children from various institutions of learning from primary to university were also not left out during the march past at the occasion.
Vice President Sambo, who arrived the stadium at around 11.45 am was received by the Gambian Vice President, Dr. Aishatu N Saidi who led him to the dais for the Nigerian national anthem before taking his seat.
Earlier the Vice President was received at the Banjul International Airport by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to The Gambia, Amb. Mrs Esther John Audu and The Gambia Minister of Youth and Sports, Aliyu Jammeh.
Top dignitaries that graced the event are the Presidents of Ghana, Mr. Jonh Dramani Mahama, that of Mauritania, Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and also that of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, Mr. Jose Mario Vaz.
Others were the Prime Minister of Senegal, Mr. Mohammed Dionne, and former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Nigerian Nollywood actors were also not left behind. Patience Ozorkwo, Kanayo O Kanayo, Segun Arinze, Chinedu Okediaze, as well as Francis Duru, Chika Okpala Alias Chief Zebrudaya and Monalisa Chinda, graced the occasion.
