Nigeria ? Newly elected President Umaru Yar’Adua is calling for an end to the massive delegations of well-wishers arriving in the capital to congratulate him, saying the visits are keeping him from his new duties.

Since his May 29 inauguration as leader of Africa’s most-populous nation, the media have been carrying reports of citizens traveling to Abuja to greet their new leader. Under Nigerian norms of hospitality, all guests must be fed and accommodated.

In a statement entitled “There’s Work to Be Done,” the presidency called for an end to the practice Wednesday – when one governor led a phalanx of more than 300 local chieftains, religious leaders and local officials to see Yar’Adua.

“While I appreciate this great outpouring of affection and the pledges of support for which I feel humbled, I must say that there is so much work to do in our country today and I will like to concentrate on the crucial task of repositioning our country for peace, sustainable development and prosperity,” the statement said.