Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary was, yesterday, marked in Abuja with a colourful parade by Nigerian Armed forces and various paramilitaries. President Muhammadu Buhari was driven to the Eagle Square with the presence of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while the Senate President,Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara were no where to be found at the event.
The President, who was received on arrival by Osinbajo, also exchanged pleasantries and handshake with the service chiefs and the IGP. He proceeded on arrival to inspect the guards on parade amidst cheers from spectators who had thronged the venue of the ceremony in their hundreds. The highpoint of the occasion was an aerial display by Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft.
The display was to showcase the country’s air power and entertain thousands of guests. Earlier, there was a display of military accoutrements and other equipment by the army, Nigerian Navy and a combat match past by an all-female guards amid cheers by the onlookers. In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. l Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) said the display of hardware by the country’s Armed Forces at the event was to prove to the world that the military is capable of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity at all times. “The military is the pride of the nation, thus you need to showcase what you have and what you are capable of doing and what we displayed today shows our capability at all times,” he said. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has said that Nigeria and its citizens have every reason to celebrate her independence this year.
The SGF stated this yesterday while speaking to journalists at the venue of the celebration of the anniversary. Mustapha explained that the elaborate celebrations witnessed this year was good for the history of the nation, especially to the younger generation that may not be acquainted with such celebration usually held on national day. According to him, “We have to be reflective with this particular situation. The last time we had such a celebration was in 2010, which was our centenary celebration. So, for the last eight years, we have not had any major celebration and we felt strongly that we are losing trend with our tradition and our history.
“A child born seven years ago has no idea whether we celebrate our national day, so I want us to look at this particular incidence today with retrospect and appreciate the fact that we have come a long way and God has been faithful to us as a nation.” The SGF commended the leadership of President Buhari for adequately addressing security challenges confronting some parts of the country by taking the needed steps. Mustapha stressed that government would not relent in dealing with any security challenge because “the primary responsibility of government is to secure this nation and provide for people to be able to pursue their various enterprises. It’s our responsibility and we will do that.”
Nigeria marks 58th anniversary, Sen Bukola saraki, Dogara Absent
Reviewed by ABIODUN SODIQ
on
October 02, 2018
Rating:

No comments: