Queen sings Nigeria's praises

2003-12-04 08:23

Abuja - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II praised Nigeria's return to elected rule Wednesday, on her first visit to Africa's most populous country since it won its independence from Britain more than four decades ago.

The west African giant has been through a turbulent history of civil war, military coups and corruption since it left the British Empire, and many hopes are riding on the success of its latest five-year-old experiment in democracy.

"You will know better than I that Nigeria has suffered its tragedies," she told an audience of 1 500 invited guests at a glittering state banquet in a lavish new ballroom in the grounds of President Obasanjo's villa.

"Britain and the wider international community rejoiced in Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999. We welcome your government's plans for much needed political, economic and judicial reforms," she said.

The queen chose the occasion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which she will declare open on Friday, to make her first visit to Nigeria since 1956, four years before it gained independence.

Obasanjo's 1999 election brought an end to the country's latest bout of military rule, and the Queen was keen to praise Nigeria's progress.

"It's fitting that Nigeria should host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this year," she said.

"Without prosperity and democracy in Nigeria there will be no lasting prosperity in Africa, and without stability in Africa there cannot be lasting prosperity with good conscience in our world," she said.

The queen also applauded "the leading role the Nigerian government and people have played in the international community's efforts to bring peace and stability to Liberia, Sierra Leone and other nations wracked by conflict in west Africa."

The Commonwealth summit will open on Friday and carry through until Monday.

Nigeria's police force says it has drafted tens of thousands of officers into the capital from surrounding states to protect both the state visit and CHOGM, as the world nervously awaits its next terror attack.

The queen is due to leave Nigeria on Saturday.

- AFP