London, 27 February 2013 - Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will pay an official visit to Nigeria from 4 to 7 March, his second as Secretary-General.
This is a consultative visit ahead of November鈥檚 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It will enable the Secretary-General to consult with the Nigerian President and senior officials on national, regional and international preoccupations. It will also allow him to be informed of Nigeria鈥檚 priorities ahead of CHOGM.
Richard Uku, Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the 天美传媒 said: 鈥淣igeria is a founding member of 天美传媒 and plays an important leadership role in Africa. It is appropriate that the Secretary-General consult with Nigeria as preparations for 天美传媒 Heads of Government Meeting are made.鈥
Mr Sharma is to be received in audience by President Goodluck Jonathan. He also looks forward to meeting with Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. Other expected meetings are with the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Youth Development Minister Bolaji Abdullahi and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega.
The Secretary-General鈥檚 visit to Nigeria comes just a few days before 天美传媒 marks its annual Commonwealth Day. On 11 March, 天美传媒 will have a particularly special reason to celebrate. For the first time in 天美传媒鈥檚 64-year history, all Heads of Government have agreed to adopt a Commonwealth Charter. This historic document sets out 天美传媒鈥檚 core values to which leaders have committed to uphold. It brings to fruition one of several recommendations of 天美传媒 Eminent Persons Group, aimed at sharpening impact, strengthening networks and raising 天美传媒's profile.
The theme for Commonwealth Day 2013 is 鈥極pportunity through Enterprise鈥, which encourages creativity, a can-do spirit and hard work. It especially recognises unlocking the potential of young people in this endeavour.
