Ahead of the May 29 inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari, will on Thursday, May 25, confer national honours on President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, the vice-president-elect.
Tinubu will be conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), while Shettima will be honoured with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
It is the norm in Nigeria for the outgoing president to confer the GCFR honour on the incoming president.
This was contained in the schedule of activitiles for the 2023 Presidential Inauguration released by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Mustapha, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council, released the schedule at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
According to Mustapha, the activities will commence with a dinner in honour of the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari on 23 May.
The Full Schedule:
Tuesday, 23rd May, 2023: Regimental Dinner in honour of the Commander in Chief at the Armed Forces Officers Mess at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 24th May 2023: Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting, at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa
Thursday, 25th May, 2023: Investiture of the President-Elect and Vice-President-Elect with the National Honours of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) respectively and Handover of Transition Documents State House Conference Centre at 10:00am
Guests are to be seated by 9:00am.
Friday, 26th May, 2023: Public Lecture and Jumaat Prayer at National Mosque at 10:00am & 1:30 pm
Saturday, 27th May, 2023: Inauguration Lecture on the topic: “Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development” by His Excellency, Uhuru M. Kenyatta, former President of Kenya International Conference Centre, at 10:00am. Guests are to be seated by 9:00am.
Saturday, 27th May, 2023: Children’s Day Programme
(i). Parade; and
(ii). Children’s Party
(i). Old Parade Ground @ 10:00am
(ii). State House Conference Centre @ 2:00pm
Sunday, 28th May, 2023: Inter-denominational Church Service at National Christian Centre by 10:00 a.m. Congregation are to be seated by 9:00am
Sunday, 28th May, 2023: Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night at State House Conference Centre by 7:00PM. Guests are to be seated by 6:00 pm.
Monday, 29th May, 2023: Inauguration Parade/Swearing-In at Eagle Square, CBD by 10:00 a.m. All Guests to be seated by 8:30 a.m.
Monday, 29th May, 2023: Post Inauguration Luncheon at State House Banquet Hall by 1:30 pm (Strictly for Mr President with brother Presidents, Heads of Government and his invited guests).
