2010 THISDAY Awards: Bush, Blair, Rice Arrive Nigeria

All is now set for today's THISDAY Nigeria-at-50 Awards as the immediate past United States President, George W. Bush; the Secretary of State to his government, Prof. Condoleezza Rice, joined former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, in Abuja for the event.

Bush and Rice arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport amid heavy security provided by both Nigerian and American personnel.
 Blair arrived quietly on Friday  and had visited Action President Goodluck Jonathan in Aso Rock and participated in other public service engagements.

Bush and other world leaders are in the country for the awards ceremony set to recognise and honour 50 distinguished  Nigerians who have played critical roles in the country’s developmental efforts since 1960.
The THISDAY Nigeria-at-50 Awards would be a major kick-off for the celebration of Nigeria’s golden jubilee anniversary as an independent nation.

The leaders would hold a discussion on the theme: “Nigeria: The Next 50 Years”. Also, THISDAY Lifetime Achievement Awards would be presented to 15 nominees, whose names were earlier announced by the Board of Editors.
Nigeria’s Acting President Goodluck Jonathan would be special guest of honour along with former Ghanaian President, John Kufour.
At the THISDAY Dome located at the central area of the Federal Capital Territory and a distance of about a few metres from the Three Arms zone, which is housing the National Assembly, Presiden-tial Villa and the Supreme Court, security was very tight.

Most of the nominees for the awards and their well-wishers had already arrived and were lodged in different hotels in the city and the security arrangement was extended to some of the hotels like Transcorp Hilton, NICON Luxury, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Chelsea 2, Rockview Hotel among others.

As world leaders and heads of their respective governments, both Blair and Bush cultivated meaningful relationships with Africa and Nigeria in particular.
In line with the sober mood of the country, music sensation, Asa will be the only performer. The performance by Earth, Wind & Fire has been postponed.