THE Federal government has released the programme of activities marking the 2018 National Democracy Day. According to the programme, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega is expected to speak as the Guest Lecturer at the Democracy Day Lecture on Monday 28, at 10:00am at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Lawrence Ojabo, in a statement on Thursday said the activities marking the Democracy Day begin on Friday 25th May 2018 with (Juma’at) Prayers at the National Mosque, Central Business District, Abuja.
He said prayers woukd be offered for the nation, its leadership at various levels and for the theme of this year’s celebration, which is “Peace Building and Good Governance for Sustainable Development”.
Similar prayers are to hold at the National Worship (Ecumenical) Centre, Central Business District, Abuja on Sunday 27th May 2018.
Ojabo, said the commemorative lecture to be delivered by Attahiru Jega and all other events are expected to draw participation from all Arms and Tiers of Government, past Presidents and Heads of State, traditional rulers, the Diplomatic Community and Non-State Actors amongst others.
Accordingly, members of the National Assembly, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies of Government, Captains of Industries, and the General Public are invited.
Nigeria’s Democracy Day is held on May 29th annually to commemorate the return of democratic governance on 29th May 1999 after sixteen (16) years of military rule in Nigeria.
The Democracy Day is considered a special occasion that offers a unique opportunity to celebrate our giant strides as a nation as well as our abilities as a people to triumph over daunting challenges in our journey in nation building.
It also presents an auspicious opportunity tocelebrate the return and observance of fundamental human rights, with the citizens having the sole responsibility of electing their leaders through democratic processes at all tiers of government.
On democracy day, Nigerians celebrate: Freedom; Leadership based on the will of the people; Fundamental human rights; and Accelerated development.