Independence Day celebration in Nigeria began with the nationwide broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the early hours of Tuesday 1st October 2024.
The event dovetailed to the 64th Independence Day Parade hosted at the forecourt of the State House in Abuja.
In twos and groups, dignitaries, top government officials, and members of President Tinubu’s cabinet made their way into the parade venue as early as 8 am.
The State House hosted Nigerians of all tribes, languages, and ethnic backgrounds including the members of the diplomat corps, as well as friends, partners, and well-wishers of the Nigerian nation.
The historic event showcased the One Nigeria unity fabric adorned in different styles by guests and most of the Ministers.
The service Chiefs, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun as well as the leadership of the national assembly along with the FCT minister were welcomed to the venue with a general welcome salute around 9 am.
Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived at the forecourt in the company of his wife Nana Shettima, both appeared in white attire with the reflection of the unity fabric in their appearance.
In the aura of guard brigade biggle, the President’s motorcade drove into the forecourt flanked by the 14-member Scottish-dressed guard boys.
Nigeria’s President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived at the ceremony at 10:06 am, in white accentuated African Agbada with his signature broken shackle cap.
Accompanied by his wife, the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, President Tinubu, the special guest of honour at the event, was received into the saluting dais and welcomed by the guard of honour with a national salute and the national anthem.
After inspecting the parade led by Lieutenant Colonel Moshood Abiodun, the Nigerian leader, and other guests were treated to military drills, a colourful parade, and a Presidential change of guards performed by officers and men of the Brigade of Guards.
This was followed by the special presidential change and consequent inspection of the quarter guard parade between the outgoing and the incoming guard’s commanders.
The independence parade also featured a combined armed forces colour patrol which made an open display of the national colour and the regimental colours of the Nigerian army, the navy, and the air force symbolizing the unity of the Nigerian armed forces and overall military pride.
The special silent drills displayed by the guard’s brigade platoon displayed the Nigerian military traditions of precision, cohesion, and dexterity in the handling of firearms when in operations.
The ceremony featured a cultural display by different troupes from six geo-political zones of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, showcasing the strength in diversity of the Nigerian people and the place of unity in achieving a common goal.
The cultural display also exhibited continued collaborative efforts by all regions to uplift the national treasures and commonwealth toward national economic prosperity.
President Tinubu subsequently performed the task of signing the anniversary register, releasing anniversary pigeons, and cutting the anniversary cake.
The event also witnessed a four-colour parade which symbolizes a rollback to the October 1, 1960 change of guards, it reflected the significance and uniqueness of the independence celebration.
The theme of this year’s anniversary is: ‘Reflecting on the past, inspiring the future.’
In attendance were members of President Tinubu’s cabinet, the leadership of the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume amongst others.
Also present was the Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Heads of Security Agencies, the Head of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Director General of the Directorate of State Service.
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