President Nelson Mandela, accompanied by Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo, departed today for the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Olusegun Obasanjo, on 29 May 1999. The ceremony also marks the successful handover of power by the incumbent Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
South Africa's high level representation at the inauguration ceremony is indicative of the importance it attaches to its relationship with Nigeria. Moreover it is also reflects support for the outgoing Head of State, and the manner in which he carried out his commitments to return Nigeria to democratic civilian rule.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
28 MAY 1999