Nigeria@ 58: Challenges notwithstanding, we’ve to celebrate our unity ― FG

THE Federal Government on Tuesday said in spite of manifold challenges confronting the nation, the unity of the country as indivisible entity 58 years after independence, is worthy of celebration.

It has accordingly announced a comprehensive programme outlined to mark the nation’s 58th independence anniversary of Nigeria’s nationhood.

Permanent Secretary and Chairman Independence Day Central Organising Committee, Mr Gabriel Aduda, briefed newsmen on activities lined up for this year’s event, stressing that Nigeria’s freedom did not come on a platter of gold.

In the last seven years, the independence anniversary celebration had been marked with low key largely because of the horrendous October 1st 2010, incident when two car bombs went off around the Eagle Square, Abuja, while government functionaries and foreign dignitaries were commemorating Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary (golden jubilee).

Charles Okah and his cohorts were alleged to have masterminded the attacks which left at least 12 people dead and 17 others seriously injured.

It was also alleged that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), had issued a warning less than an hour before the first bomb went off near Eagle Square, venue of the celebration.

Okah was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, over his involvement in the crime.

ALSO READ: Trending ritual video: Osun majority leader victim of fraudsters ― CP

But Aduda, while briefing newsmen said it was time to leave some these challenges behind and celebrate the fact that Nigeria remained one and indivisible entity.

He gave the theme for this year’s celebration as, “Harnessing Our Diversity for National Development.”

He noted that the weeklong activities kick off from Tuesday 25th September to Thursday 27th September, with a photo exhibition on national history with the sub-theme, “The Footprints of Our Political Leaders.” The event will run for three days at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

On Friday 28th, a national lecture and juma’at prayer will take place at the National Mosque while on Saturday 29th September, the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari will host children from various orphanages and Internally Displaced (IDP), camps.

On Sunday 30th September, there would be an inter-denominational church service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja which will be followed by a state broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 1st, 2018.

According to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, other activities crafted into the celebration includes match past by military and para-military forces, labour unions and the National Youth Service Corps.

The festivities will climax with air display by Airforce fighter jets over the skies of Abuja, paratroopers display and military equipment fanfare and finally a gala night at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.