President Goodluck Jonathan has dispelled rumour making the
rounds that the 52nd independence celebration was shifted to Aso Rock
presidential villa due to fear of any impending attack by the Islamic extremist
group, Boko Haram, saying it was meant to be low-keyed to save cost for
Nigeria’s 100 years of existence celebration in 2014.
rounds that the 52nd independence celebration was shifted to Aso Rock
presidential villa due to fear of any impending attack by the Islamic extremist
group, Boko Haram, saying it was meant to be low-keyed to save cost for
Nigeria’s 100 years of existence celebration in 2014.
He also officially consecrated a newly formed 176 Special Force
battalion, to join the existing 177 and 7 battalions of the presidential guards
brigade at the independence anniversary celebration on Monday.
battalion, to join the existing 177 and 7 battalions of the presidential guards
brigade at the independence anniversary celebration on Monday.
Jonathan who spoke to State House Correspondents through his
special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said the 52nd
independent anniversary like that of last year was low-keyed to save cost and
adequately prepare for the big event of 2014, when the nation would mark
100 year of existence from the amalgamation of 1914.
special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said the 52nd
independent anniversary like that of last year was low-keyed to save cost and
adequately prepare for the big event of 2014, when the nation would mark
100 year of existence from the amalgamation of 1914.
Spurning insinuation from certain quarters that the event was
moved to the villa for security reasons, he said, “The anniversary is also
low-keyed this year taking place within the precinct of the state house.
moved to the villa for security reasons, he said, “The anniversary is also
low-keyed this year taking place within the precinct of the state house.
President Jonathan has personally responded to the allegation
that the event is being held within the state house by making it clear that in
2014, we will have a big event; the centenary of Nigeria’s celebration, since
amalgamation.
that the event is being held within the state house by making it clear that in
2014, we will have a big event; the centenary of Nigeria’s celebration, since
amalgamation.
“A few years ago, we have the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s
independence and that was a big event.
independence and that was a big event.
The President’s take on this, is that between that 50 year
anniversary and the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation, we should have low
keyed celebration.
anniversary and the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation, we should have low
keyed celebration.
Those who are looking for celebration on a grand scale should
wait till 2014 when we will have the 100 year of Nigeria amalgamation”, the
presidential spokesman added.
wait till 2014 when we will have the 100 year of Nigeria amalgamation”, the
presidential spokesman added.
Earlier in the morning, at exactly 7:00pm President Jonathan
said in a nationwide broadcasts aired on national televisions and radio
stations that Nigerians had cause to celebrate the unfailing optimism and
national identity as the nation marked its 52nd Independence.
said in a nationwide broadcasts aired on national televisions and radio
stations that Nigerians had cause to celebrate the unfailing optimism and
national identity as the nation marked its 52nd Independence.
“We also celebrate the unfailing optimism and resilience of
Nigerians who remain proud of our national identity”, the president said,
adding that the lowering of the Union Jack and the emergence of the Green White
Green flag in 1960 was not just a ceremony about the destiny of a nation, but
the future of a people.
Nigerians who remain proud of our national identity”, the president said,
adding that the lowering of the Union Jack and the emergence of the Green White
Green flag in 1960 was not just a ceremony about the destiny of a nation, but
the future of a people.
Noting that the future was already here and that present
generation was the inheritors of a great legacy that goes even much farther
into the past, Jonathan observed that the country had since weathered the storm
of the civil war and refused to be broken by sectarian crises.
generation was the inheritors of a great legacy that goes even much farther
into the past, Jonathan observed that the country had since weathered the storm
of the civil war and refused to be broken by sectarian crises.
“We have remained a strong nation. On this special day, I call
on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making
progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that
enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people”, he stated.
on every Nigerian to remain steadfast, because our nation is indeed making
progress. I call on every Nigerian to rediscover that special spirit that
enables us to triumph over every adversity as a people”, he stated.
Lamenting that the country had been witnessing serious security
challenges in parts of the country which government has taken pro-active
measures to check the menace, the president said, “Fellow citizens, I have an
unshaken belief in the future of our great Country.
challenges in parts of the country which government has taken pro-active
measures to check the menace, the president said, “Fellow citizens, I have an
unshaken belief in the future of our great Country.
I consider it a priority and sacred duty to continue to
strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and
nourish the creative energies of our people. This is a central objective of our
administration’s Transformation Agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will
continue to grow from strength to strength.”
strengthen the bond of unity that holds our nation together and to promote and
nourish the creative energies of our people. This is a central objective of our
administration’s Transformation Agenda. Nigeria, I assure you, will
continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Source: Leadership
