In the first of its kind today at the Presidential villa, the nation
celebrated what can be termed as a low key, in-house independence
celebration with a special presidential change of guard and signpost.
The short ceremony which held at the forecourt of the President's
office, was conducted by two battalions of the presidential guards
brigade; the 177 battalion based in Keffi and the Seventh Guards
Battalion, Abuja.
The ceremony which lasted for about an hour, commenced with the
arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife by 10:05am. After
inspecting the quarter guard at the forecourt gate, Jonathan went to the
podium where he received the General salute and the National Anthem was
played.
Prayers were then offered by Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Chief Imam of the Abuja
National Mosque, Shiek Usman Muhammad.
The presidential change of guards was performed by 61 soldiers and
involved foot and arms drill with rhythmic and calculated steps. The
weapons were also checked to ensure that there were cleaned and no
rounds of arms were left in them and their uniforms were checked to
ensure there was no shoddy turn out.
The presidential change of guards is usually performed every Monday
morning and is aimed at ensuring regimentation and that instructions
given to the guards are carried out properly.
After the ceremony, the President signed the anniversary register
and proceeded, accompanied by his wife; Vice President Namadi Sambo and
his wife; Senate President David Mark; Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha,
who represented the Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Chief Justice of the
Federation, Dahiru Musdafar; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon
and former President Shehu Shagari, to cut the anniversary cake.
Jonathan released 51pigeons as a symbol of peace.
Others who witnessed the ceremony were ministers; Ambassadors; High
Commissioners and members of the diplomatic corps; high profile
politicians, and members of the organised private sector, among others.
The federal government had decided to hold a low-key independence
celebration this year because, according to it, there had been two major
celebrations in the past year.
The minister of information, Mr Labaran Maku had earlier told
journalists at the state house in Abuja that the decision to have a
low-key celebration was not borne out of fear but out of the will to
save cost.
"I want to make it very clear here that the fact that this
independence is low-keyed has nothing to do with fear of Boko Haram or
any insecurity” Maku said.-DAILY TIMES
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