The 61st Independence anniversary parade held at the popular Eagle Square, Abuja, was observed under the heavy presence of security.
As early as 5:30 a.m., on Friday, all roads leading to the Eagle located at the Federal Secretariat, especially from Mararaba/Nyanya axis were blocked by combined security forces of soldiers, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Motorists were stuck in long traffic jams for several hours as there was no vehicular movement as long as the parade lasted. Food vendors and sellers of memorabilia were not also seen in the presence of Eagle Square as they could not get entry through the soldiers that were armed to the teeth.
Recall that on October 1, 2010, there was an attempt to wreck 50th-anniversary celebrations for the country’s independence with an unprecedented series of car bomb attacks, on Abuja, the capital.
Police had confirmed that two car bombs were detonated outside the justice ministry in Abuja. A third, smaller explosion hit a venue at nearby Eagle Square, where the President, Goodluck Jonathan sat with hundreds of Nigerian and foreign dignitaries.
Since the ugly incident coupled with the deteriorating security situation in the country, successive independence anniversary ceremonies had been devoid of the usual fanfare, as the anniversary parades were held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
However, the colourful parade by the Armed forces and some paramilitary agencies, on Friday, including members of National Youth Service Corps, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), was spiced by cultural dances depicting the diversity of Nigeria, as well as acrobatic displays that held the audience spell-bound.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the Special Guest of Honour, inspected the guard of honour at the ceremony attended by former Presidents including General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Retd), Dr Goodluck Jonathan and top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps.
There was also 21 gun solute by firing of artillery volleys as well as signing of anniversary register by President Buhari.
Secretary to the Goverment of Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, told newsmen at the event that challenges were part of nationhood, saying there is no country that does not have challenges even advanced democracies that have existed in the last three hundred years are being confronted with challenges.
“Ours is not different and we have a responsibility as a country and as a government to provide for the security and welfare of the citizens. So, we are doing everything just as the President took a lot of time in his broadcast to the nation to explain what the goverment is doing and what is in place to ensure that we get out of these challenges,” he said.
Minister of Niger, Godswill Akpabio, said with unity Nigeria has made a lot of progress and that the restive youths of the Niger Delta have come to know that there is hope in the country.
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