FG forms committee to plan Independence Day celebrations.
The Federal Government has established the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the 2024 Independence Day Celebrations.
The committee will organise, organise, and carry out all permitted activities commemorating the country’s independence.
Nigeria, which earned independence from Britain in 1960, will mark its 64th independence day on October 1.
Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, inaugurated the committee on Thursday on behalf of the SGF, George Akume, according to a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Akume stated that there will be no extravagant celebration to highlight the country’s terrible situation.
“The 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will be low-key to reflect the trying times the nation is enduring,” stated Sen. George Akume, Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during the committee’s inauguration.
“SGF stated that the event will afford the government the opportunity to showcase to Nigerians its scorecard recorded within the short period in office to reposition Nigeria through its reform initiatives to deliver the dividends of democracy,” a portion of the statement said.
Akume stated that the 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations will begin with a World Press Conference on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
“Juma’at Service on Friday, 27th September 27, 2024; Church Service on Sunday, September 29, 2024; on Monday, September 30, 2024; while the Presidential Broadcast and 64th Independence Day Parade will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024,” he said.
According to the statement, the committee members are the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the FCT, the Special Adviser to the President, Policy and Coordination, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Social Events, and the Inspector-General of Police.
Other members include the National Security Adviser, Director-General, Department of State Services; Commander, Guards Brigade; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation).
The Inter-Ministerial Committee’s Terms of Reference include planning, organising, and carrying out all approved events related to the Independence Day Celebration on October 1st, 2024. Co-opt any organization(s) or person(s) relevant to the program’s effective execution; document for posterity all planned anniversary activities; and carry out any additional task as may be required to ensure the celebration’s success,” the statement read.