African leaders commend Nigeria's role in Africa

African leaders on Thursday commended Nigeria's role in providing leadership for the African continent as the country marked its 100 years of existence.

The leaders, who spoke at Nigeria's centenary lecture, were unanimous in their commendation for Nigeria.

President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, said: ``We salute the tenacity, the solidarity and commitment to peace that Nigeria has demonstrated in the peacekeeping operations.

"We will continue to partner with Nigeria because we believe that Nigeria will overcome any challenge that she faces currently.

"We support the effort of the government in striving to put to an end to the insurgency in some parts of this country," he said.

President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, said that Nigeria had invested human, financial and material resources to bind the continent together.

Jammeh, who earned a standing ovation for his eulogy of Nigeria's qualities, opportunities and continued leadership role, said Nigeria held the key to the continued relevance of the continent on the global map.

He noted the challenges that the country had survived in the last 100 years and said Nigeria had better opportunities as one united entity.

In her goodwill message, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, particularly commended Nigeria's role in restoring peace, security and enthroning democracy in her country.

President Joyce Banda of Malawi was also full of praises for Nigeria for its commitment to peace, security and the development of the continent.

Banda, who joined her Liberian counterpart to condemn the recent Boko Haram attack on students, expressed confidence in the ability of Nigeria to realise its greatness in spite of the security challenges.

In his goodwill message, the President of Arab Sahawari Democratic Republc, Mohammed Abdelaziz, congratulated Nigeria for surviving 100 years of nationhood.

Abdelaziz, whose country's independence day celebration was today, had marked the day on Wednesday to enable him to attend Nigeria's centenary celebration.