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

On Tuesday, President Jonathan will attend the 50th Independence anniversary ceremony billed for the Parade Ground in Libreville which will feature military parades, award presentations and callisthenic displays.

Thereafter, Jonathan will address the Nigerian community in Gabon by 2pm at the residence of the Nigerian Ambassador, in Libreville.

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.

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

President Jonathan will return to the country on Tuesday evening.

President Goodluck Jonathan will leave Abuja for Libreville tomorrow to participate in Gabon's 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.