This is the fourth-year running that the President celebrated the country’s independence anniversary without fanfare.
2010 was the last time President Jonathan celebrated Nigeria’s independence outside the Presidential Villa which was marred by a bomb blast at the Eagle Square, venue of the event.
This year, the low-key event was held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa marked with a change of guards parade conducted by the Presidential Guards Brigade of the 177 Battalion based in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The president later signed the independence anniversary register and released pigeons, signifying peace.
Those present at the event included former head of state General Gowon, former head of the Interim National Government (ING) Ernest Shonekan, former Chief of General Staff General Oladipo Diya (rtd), former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, EmekaIhedioha, Service Chiefs and Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
Also in Kaduna and Borno states, the event was generally low-keyed. In Kaduna most residents stayed indoors with their families. The state governor MukhtarRamalanYero called on Nigerians to show national loyalty at all times.
In Maiduguri, Borno State, the governor Kashim Shettima visited the Maiduguri Maximum Prison where he set free 22 inmates, serving various jail terms, including a woman.
