160 NIGERIANS IN GABONESE PRISONS

There are currently 160 Nigerians in Gabonese prisons. Out of that number, 129 are in Libreville prison while the rest are scatter in the nine provinces prisons. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan is billed to arrive Libreville, the Gabonese capital today to attend that country's 50th Independence Anniversary. He is going on the invitation of President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

At 8.00pm on Monday evening, President Jonathan will join other invited African Heads of State and Government at a gala dinner to be hosted by President Bongo at the Presidential Villa in Libreville, as part of activities lined up for the celebrations.

The following morning, Tuesday, President Jonathan will attend the 50th Independence anniversary ceremony billed for the Parade Ground in Libreville. Thereafter, the President will address the Nigerian community in Gabon by 2pm at the residence of the Nigerian Ambassador, in Libreville.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Gabon, Samuel Aiyedona, gave the information to newsmen while hosting the advance team of President Goodluck Jonathan to a dinner in his official residence at the weekend.

According to him, Nigeria has over 150, 000 of its citizens, which is about one-tenth of Gabon 's 1.7m population, living in that country. They are mostly Igbo, Ilaje and Ijaw traders who dominate Gabon 's commerce, and its fishing industry.

According to Ambassador Aiyedona, the entrepreneurship of Ijaw and Ilaje fishermen alone contributes over 600,000 tons of fish to Gabon 's fishing industry annually.