By Eniola Idris
AHEAD of the parade to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, 1 Oct. 2020, the Federal Government has announced measures to further enhance security in and around the venue, Eagle Square, Abuja.
Chairman, Branding/Media & Publicity Sub-Committee, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Nigeria@60 Independence Anniversary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said as part of the security measures, all routes leading to the Eagle Square will be blocked from midnight on Wednesday, 30 Sept. 2020,
“Consequently, Shehu Shagari Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, outward and
inward-bound Airport Roads and adjoining roads will be blocked to
traffic.
“Also, the Federal Secretariat Complex will be evacuated by 2.00pm on Wednesday, 30 Sept. 2020, which means all workers within the precinct of the Eagle Square are expected to vacate their offices from that time,” he stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier announced that Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary celebration would be observed for a whole year, ending September 30th, 2021.
Buhari said the anniversary celebration would be held low-key this year, attributing the development to the scourge of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“Today we stand on the threshold of history as we formally begin a series of activities commemorating Nigeria’s Diamond Anniversary. The task history has saddled me with today is to proclaim a theme that will keep us united, help us forge ahead, and unveil a logo that will form the critical pillars, which are eleven months modest commemoration activities will rest on.
“Celebrating 60 years of independence really calls for pomp and pageantry, but the global COVID-19 Pandemic, which has forced all nations in the world to think and act differently, has also forced on us the imperative of a low-keyed celebration. Operating within the limitations placed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we created an internet challenge for Nigerians to make a choice from a set of four pre-selected logos that will appropriately define theme.
“Of these four options, Nigerians from all walks of life participated in making a choice and I’m happy to let you know that the logo I will be unveiling is a product of choice from the Nigerian people.
“I’m informed that the selected option depicts our togetherness; a country of over 200 million people, whose natural talents, grits and passion glitter like the precious diamond we are. This to me is a sufficient appreciation to our most precious assets; our people. Everywhere you go, Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in academia, business, Innovation, music, movie, entertainment and culture,” he stated.
