Vice-President Kashim Shettima, alongside other world leaders, joined thousands of Gabonese citizens on Saturday to witness the swearing-in of Brice Nguema as
the newly elected President of Gabon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nguema emerged as President of Gabon on April 12, 2025, after defeating seven other candidates in the country’s recent presidential election.
Nguema has been the interim President for 20 months following a change in government and the ouster of former President Ali Bongo.
The inauguration ceremony, which was held at the Stade de l’Amitié sino-gabonaise in Libreville, Gabon, featured military parades, a march-past and displays of Gabon’s rich cultural heritage.
In his inauguration speech, Nguema thanked citizens of the country for their overwhelming support, which led to his emergence as a democratically elected President of Gabon.
He pledged to work hard for the development of Gabon as well as to empower the youth in order to secure the future of the nation.
He further promised to address the challenges of insecurity and criminality troubling the country, adding that the lack of adequate water supply would also be tackled.
Nguema, who recognised the role of the United Nations, pledged to work with them and called for peaceful coexistence amongst African nations.
Other Heads of State present at the event included President Teodoro Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, John Mahama of Ghana, Faustin-Archange Touadéra of Central African Republic, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, among others. (NAN)
SSI