The Federal Government of Nigeria has explained why it is celebrating Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary despite the myriad of socio-economic challenges facing the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said though Nigeria had gone through years of political, non-religious crises, it had remained united.
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“Nigeria’s “unity and resilience”, he said, while unveiling the activities lined up for the diamond jubilee celebration.
He said: “For a country that has gone through a bitter, internecine civil war, years of political crisis, daunting security challenges, including religious and ethnic crisis, etc, our unity and our resilience (which by the way is what diamond represents) are worth celebrating.
“Also, in certain cultures, the age of 60 is seen as the beginning of a new cycle of life, and is usually well marked.
“For Nigeria as a country, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari offers a new beginning.
“The administration is working assiduously to build a new Nigeria, laying the building blocks for industrial and technological development by building massive infrastructures in the areas of power, roads, bridges, rail etc. and by developing human capital.
He reiterated that the anniversary celebration would be low-key, saying: “The pomp and pageantry that should have marked the celebration will be largely missing.”
He said there would be a public lecture on Friday at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja, followed by a special jumat prayers at the same venue and an inter-denominational church service would hold on Sunday at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari would on Monday launch the National Ethics and Integrity Policy as well as Integrity Award at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“These events are strictly by invitation, and that all COVID-19 protocols will be observed at the various venues,” he added.
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