<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>KILGOUR TO ATTEND INAUGURATION OF NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">May 28, 1999 <em>(7:50 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 125</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">KILGOUR TO ATTEND INAUGURATION</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> OF NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Secretary of State (Latin America and
Africa) David Kilgour will travel to Abuja, Nigeria, for the inauguration of Nigeria's new President,
Olusegun Obasanjo, on May 29, 1999.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The installation of a civilian government is a momentous event for Nigeria," said Mr. Kilgour.
"Canada has helped with the transition from military to civilian rule, and is committed to working
closely with Nigeria directly and through various international organizations to assist in consolidating
its democratic gains."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Minister Axworthy visited Nigeria in January to see first-hand how the transition process was
progressing and to support the constructive measures taken by the interim administration of General
Abubakar. Since the beginning of the political transition which started in mid-1998, Canada has
provided $1.25 million for elections. Canada has also sent election observers and technical experts
as part of a Commonwealth initiative and in co-operation with the European Union.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Nigeria will be reintegrated into the Commonwealth on the same day as the inauguration. Its full
membership in the organization was suspended at the 1995 Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting held in New Zealand, following serious violations of democracy and human rights by
Nigeria. Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed to restore Nigeria's membership upon the
recommendation of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), of which Canada is a
member and in which it has played a leading role.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Tasha Stefanis</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 944-2162</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
</body>
</html>
