How Nigeria marked its 62nd Independence Day anniversary

The Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the independence celebration of Nigeria at 62, was a beehive of celebrations amidst pomp and pageantry on Saturday.

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TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that there was a presence of heavy security officials in and around the square, as the entrance to the venue was hinged on possession of the required clearance.

The event began with a general salute by the Commander Guards Brigade, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff.

Other top government functionaries, who participated in the general salute category included ministers, members of National Assembly, permanent secretaries, and Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals.

Others are the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

It was followed by a welcome salute by Ministers of Defence and FCT, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Chief Justice of the Federation, President of Senate and Speaker House of Representatives.

Others who were part of the welcome salute were former presidents and vice presidents.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo took the National Salute.

The event featured a march past, calisthenic displays and various degrees of air displays and silent drill by members of the Armed Forces.

The displays were designed to showcase superior mights of the Armed Forces and its combat ready disposition to safeguard the nation at all times.

Members of the paramilitary agencies comprising the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.

The event also had cultural dance displays from different ethnic nationalities in the country, showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

There was also symbolic display on Southern and Northern protectorates of Nigeria, amalgamation and eventual attainment of Nigeria’s Independence.

The symbolic displays portrayed the need for Nigerians to see themselves as one indivisible and united entity, in spite of the multiplicity of various ethnic nationalities.

High points of the event were inspection of Guards by President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Salute that entailed firing of 21 Artillery Volleys (Gun Salute) and signing of the anniversary register by Buhari.

Nigeria at 62: Jonathan, Osinbajo, others join Buhari to mark anniversary

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and other several local and foreign dignitaries witnessed Nigeria’s colourful 62nd Independence Day Anniversary parades.

The event held amidst watertight security at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on Saturday. It witnessed colorful parades and a display of a high sense of professionalism by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The event, which was also marked with all sorts of activities, including military drills and artistic performances, was witnessed by President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Others at the event included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan and cabinet ministers.

The service chiefs and other heads of security and intelligence agencies; members of the National Assembly; and members of the diplomatic corps were also at the parade ground.

Buhari, who arrived at the Eagle Square, inspected the guards on parade, before proceeding to the VIP box to observe the parade processions.

The major highlights of the celebration at the Eagle Square included parades and march past by the nation’s military forces, some paramilitary outfits, cadets of the Nigeria Military School (NMS) and members of NYSC, amongst others.

Also, the Nigerian Air Force did a couple of flying displays with some of the aircraft recently procured for the various anti-terrorism fight, as well as minutes of cultural displays by the cultural troupe.

The president later signed the anniversary register before departing the Eagle Square after the National Anthem and the march off of the parade.

The president had earlier addressed Nigerians on the occasion of the 62nd independence anniversary.

Buhari said that he shared the pains Nigerians were going through while commending their resilience in the face of challenges.

Buhari had also commended Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to lead the country both in 2015 and 2019.

He added that he had delivered on most of the promises he made to the people in the last seven years.

Buhari also reiterated his appeal to the striking ASUU members to return to the classroom, while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available.

According to him, the Federal Government will continue to mobilise resources both internationally and nationally towards funding education to ensure that citizens are well educated and skilled in various vocations.