ABUJA - President Paul Kagame yesterday attended the swearing-in ceremony of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

President Kagame was among several heads of state invited to attend the ceremony held at Eagle Square in the capital Abuja. Jonathan was sworn-in as the 14th President of the West African country.

Goodluck Jonathan, 54, who stood on the Peoples Democratic Party ticket won the April 2011 Election with 60.2 percent of the vote, beating his closest challenger Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change CPC.

President Kagame arrived at Abuja International Airport at around 10 a.m., before joining the colourful ceremony at Abuja's Eagle Square.

Speaking before dignitaries from other African countries and thousands of invited guests, the country's 14th head of state promised to fight corruption and defend democracy.

The newly sworn-in President promised to prioritise rebuilding the economy of Africa’s most populous nation, job creation, promotion of education and health, as well as improving the social welfare of the Nigerian people.

Goodluck Jonathan came to power last year during the period that followed the prolonged illness and eventual death of the late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua.

Last year in September, President Goodluck Jonathan was among the 13 heads of state who attended the Swearing-in ceremony of President Paul Kagame at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.

Ends