03 June 2015 - In an impressive ceremony featuring a military parade, cultural presentations, green and white balloons and white pigeons at Abuja’s Eagle Square, General Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s new President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces on May 25. Professor Yemi Osinbajo was also sworn in as the country’s new Vice President.

On hand to witness the event were heads of state and government, ministers and special envoys from at least 35 African and other countries. Secretary of State John Kerry represented the US.

Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid attended the swearing-in ceremony, as well as the Inaugural Gala held in the evening of the same day at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The Philippine Embassy in Abuja earlier conveyed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s congratulatory message to President Buhari through the Nigerian Foreign Ministry.

Outgoing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulated the new President, and presented to him the Nigerian Constitution, the National and Armed Forces Flags – symbols of the office of the President.

President Buhari also identified the challenges facing Nigeria in the 21st century, which the new government vowed to address. At the Inaugural Gala in the evening of the same day, President Buhari, recognizing that there are great expectations for the new government to deliver immediate results, called on the public to be patient while his government tries to find solutions to the numerous challenges that it has inherited. END