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Nigeria to Mark 64th Independence with Modest Celebrations
The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary will be marked in a modest fashion.
This announcement was made by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The press conference was held to outline the activities planned for this year’s celebration.
Senator Akume stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the decision to scale down the festivities to reflect the current mood of the nation.
The administration is focusing on unity, progress, and the diverse cultural heritage that defines Nigeria.
The low-key celebration is meant to remind citizens of the nation’s strength in unity, its progress despite numerous challenges, and the beauty of its diversity.
Akume emphasized the significant strides made by the Tinubu administration within a short period, highlighting the government’s commitment to a brighter future through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He acknowledged the economic hardships many Nigerians are facing, which are largely due to unavoidable policy choices such as the removal of fuel subsidies.
However, he assured Nigerians that these tough decisions are aimed at long-term stability and growth.
According to him, the administration is working tirelessly to mitigate the immediate impact of these policies and to create new opportunities in the short, medium, and long term.
One of the key initiatives introduced by the Tinubu administration is the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative, designed to alleviate transportation costs for Nigerians.
The launch of the first phase, which includes thirty hybrid buses powered by CNG, is just the beginning.
Akume disclosed that this initiative will be expanded to cover all geo-political zones, significantly reducing transportation costs and enhancing mobility.
Additionally, the government has commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train for the Abuja-Kaduna route.
This development is expected to cut travel costs by up to 50% when fully operational.
President Tinubu’s administration is also focusing on economic growth through support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
By empowering Nigerians to start or expand their businesses, the government aims to strengthen the backbone of the economy.
The SGF also highlighted the repositioning of the National Social Investment Programme to better address the needs of the poor, the vulnerable, and the elderly.
Furthermore, Nigerian workers have seen benefits from a newly approved National Minimum Wage, following a Wage Award to ease their financial burdens.
In terms of education, the Nigerian Students Loan Fund has disbursed N2.5 billion to over 22,120 students in higher institutions across the country.
This initiative provides a much-needed relief for parents and offers greater access to education for students from low-income families.
On the issue of national security, Akume acknowledged the ongoing challenges of insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
He praised the efforts of the armed forces and security agencies, whose enhanced capabilities have led to the neutralization of numerous insurgents and bandits, while others have surrendered for rehabilitation.
He assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to restoring peace and security across the nation.
To combat rising food prices and bolster food security, the government has removed tariffs on certain food imports and distributed fertilizers and farm inputs to farmers.
These measures aim to increase food production and make food more affordable for all Nigerians.
Senator Akume took the opportunity to honor the sacrifices and contributions of Nigeria’s founding fathers, who fought for the nation’s independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to take pride in the country’s journey towards a stable and unbroken democratic sovereignty, which has lasted 25 years since 1999.
He also commended Nigerians for their resilience and their significant contributions to global development in various fields.
The SGF announced that the Independence Anniversary celebrations would include a Special Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday, September 27, 2024.
An Inter-Denominational Church Service will follow on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the National Christian Centre.
The celebrations will culminate with a Presidential Broadcast and an Independence Anniversary Parade at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Through these events, the government aims to foster a sense of unity and patriotism among Nigerians as the nation reflects on its achievements and the road ahead.
Despite the scaled-down celebrations, the message of hope, progress, and unity remains strong as Nigeria looks forward to a brighter future.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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