Centenary Celebrations: Queen Elizabeth Congratulates Nigeria As Jonathan Vows to End Terror Attacks
As Nigeria marks one hundred years of her existence as a country following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England on Thursday congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and the
people of the country.
In a congratulatory message personally signed and sent to the President Jonathan by the Queen, she said:”On the occasion of the Republic of Nigeria celebrating 100 years since the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Nigeria, I send the people of Nigeria my warmest congratulations.
“I have fond memories of my 1st visit to Nigeria in 1956 and again in 2003, as the Head of the Commonwealth. The links between our two countries have deepened over the past 100 years and I hope they will continue to do so.
“I would like to convey my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Nigeria”
The Centenary Celebration was filled with several events with an international conference having numerous World leaders in attendance, games and a Grand Finale event which was a night of history and spectacle and ended in a display of fireworks.
There was a pre-concert at The Abuja National Stadium, followed by a multimedia show and fireworks display. Official MCs for the night were Ike Osakioduwa and Funke Akindele . The pre-concert featured some of the nation’s popular music artists such as 2Face, Wizkid, Ara, Nazir Ahmed Hausawa a.k.a Ziriums, Threadstone and Omawumi amongst others.
The event also revived nostalgic feelings from decades past as hits from veteran musicians like Victor Olaiya, Victor Uwaifo, Ikemba Superstars, Nelly Uchendu, Rex Lawson, King Kennytone, Fela and many others were featured.