Tinubu, Shettima leads Independence Day celebrations in Aso Rock

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries, presided over Nigeria’s Independence Day Parade at the forecourt of Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

.The celebration marked the second observance of the nation’s Independence under Tinubu’s leadership.

Arriving at about 10:10 a.m. with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the president was welcomed with a national salute and anthem before inspecting the guard of honour, led by Lieutenant Colonel Moshood Yusuf. The event featured various military drills, a colourful parade, and a presidential change of guards by officers of the Brigade of Guards.

A highlight of the ceremony was the combined armed forces colour patrol, showcasing the national and regimental colours of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This was followed by silent drills performed by the Guard’s Brigade platoon.

In a display of national unity and cultural pride, troupes from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones performed a cultural showcase, with a collaboration to raise a life-size talking drum called the ‘national treasure.’

President Tinubu signed the anniversary register, released white pigeons as a symbol of peace, and cut the anniversary cake.

This year’s celebration, themed ‘Reflecting on the Past, Inspiring the Future,’ represents a return to tradition as the event was moved from Eagle Square back to the Villa under the current administration.

Announcing this development in October 2023, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the Independence Day anniversary would be observed on a low-key due to the tumultuous state of the economy.

In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; SGF Akume; the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu; Service Chiefs; the Inspector General of Police; cabinet members; former presidents and vice presidents; heads of paramilitary organisations; the Head of the National Intelligence Agency; the Director General of the Directorate of State Services; and members of the diplomatic corps.

The Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, who spoke to State House Correspondents afterwards, said the country’s progress would require the collective resolve of the various zones.

Bamidele said, “We all listened to Mr. President’s speech, and it was also good to be here, to be a part of this commemorative anniversary ceremony. The message, both from how the military parade was conducted and the cultural display by different cultural groups from various parts of the country, all conveys a single message: not one geopolitical zone of this country can do it alone.

“It’s not about the South or the North. It’s not about the West or the East, but all of us, as Nigerians, must come together to make the difference that we need.

“The message from Mr. President this morning was also very clear. Mr. President recognised the fact that these times are trying times for Nigerians. He recognised the fact that, as much as possible, the level of resilience cannot be too much. And he reassured Nigerians that the government was on top of its socioeconomic policies. I have no doubt, by the grace of God, that in another year, as I said before, we should be back here to tell a better story of the state of the Nigerian nation.”