Nigeria@ 58: Independence parade holds amidst tight security at Eagle Square

EIGHT years after, Nigeria’s 58 independence anniversary celebration on Monday held at Eagle Square, Abuja, following relative peace that has returned to the country.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee (50th independence anniversary), in 2010 was marred by twin bomb blast allegedly carried out by Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta  (MEND), leaving about 12 persons dead and several others injured.

Since then, successive independence anniversary celebrations have been marked with low-key with the military parades held at the forecourt of Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The 58th independence anniversary celebration on Monday was however a marked departure from the previous years, even though it was held under water-tight security, with heavy presence of security personnel both at the Eagle Square arena and kilometres away.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the Special Guest of Honour arrived at the venue about 9.30 a.m and inspected the Guards of Honour which was followed by march past in slow and quick time by the military.

The colourful event also witnessed the march past by para-military agencies and the Nigerian Police Force mounted troops. The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), was the first on the row of the colourful parade followed by Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Legion and Nigeria Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

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In what appeared to be display of military might or show of force, the Nigerian Army marched past with sophisticated military equipment while the Nigerian Air Force trilled the audience with aerial display.

There was also the firing of volleys and 21-gun-salute while President Buhari signed the anniversary Register to bring the event to a close after three hearty cheers was observed.

Meanwhile, all the major access roads to the Federal Secretariat hosting the Eagle Square were barricaded by combined security personnel including soldiers, police, officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Tribune Online observed that for those coming into the city centre from Mararaba/Nyanya axis, traffic was diverted from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters as the road was blocked including the road leading from Area 11 to Federal Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, those attending the programme had to trek kilometres to get to Eagle Square after they would have been frisked by security agencies at various point.

The celebration at the Eagle Square was also devoid of the usual fanfare of food vendors and sellers of memorabilia that used to characterize such events in Abuja. Only handful of snack and hand-held national flag sellers were able to make their ways into the Eagle Square car park.

Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, who spoke with newsmen at the anniversary parade, noted that the showcase of military might was indicative of the strength of the nation.

He said: “Today, we have seen what the Nigerian military has done and showcasing what they have is an indication that they are capable of maintaining the territorial integrity of Nigeria,”.

He said he was delighted because it has shown to Nigerians where their money is being spent noting that most of the equipment displayed were acquired through the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalang, said the display of military might was a message that the country is secured and that Nigeria is prepared to defend her territorial integrity.

He noted that he could not remember when last this kind of parade had happened in Nigeria, adding that the bottom line of the celebration was that despite the challenges the country is facing, there was clear cause for Nigeria to be the giant of Africa.

He stressed that Nigeria, with the kind of leadership being provided by President Buhari, is prepared to take its place in the comity of nations.

Dalong said there was no reason shying from the fact that the country has faced “pockets” of security in the last few months from the Middle Belt to North West, “but the directive of Mr President to the military to stem the tide of the security challenges has brought stability and sanity in the North West”.

“We still have some challenges around the Plateau but we are determined to secure this country and make it peaceful for every Nigerian and every other person in this country to be safe,” he said.

He said the message to Nigerians was that there is great hope for the country as it was clearly shown on Monday, urging everyone to come together, united, show love and be just to one another “because injustice is not a good neighbour of peace”.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said the celebration was significant even though the country still faces some challenges.

He reiterated the commitment of the current administration to secure the country and allow citizens to pursue their various enterprises, saying this was the primary responsibility of government.

Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), was in attendance alongside other top government functionaries. However, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Right Honourable Yakubu Dogara were absent at the event.