The Federal Government has said this year’s 66th Independence anniversary celebration will be low-key, with President Bola Tinubu expected to deliver a national broadcast on October 1.
The decision was contained in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation made available to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
The statement said an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been inaugurated in Abuja to coordinate activities for the anniversary. The committee is headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Speaking after the inauguration, Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Warrens, said the anniversary is a moment for sober reflection on the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and heroines.
He said Nigeria’s progress since 1960 rests on the foundation laid by the nationalists and that the celebration will also provide an avenue for the administration to highlight its reforms and achievements despite current socio economic challenges.
Akume added that the programme would be modest and urged committee members to work quickly given the short time before October 1.
According to the schedule, activities will begin with a World Press Conference on September 24, followed by a Juma’at prayer on September 25 and an interdenominational church service on September 27.
An Independence Day public lecture will hold on September 30, while the President’s broadcast is slated for October 1.
Members of the committee include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
Also on the committee are the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; and Commander, Guards Brigade, Adebisi Onasanya, are also members of the panel alongside other top government officials.
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