Nigeria celebrates 52nd Independence Anniversary: The trends, Challenges & Solutions.

I will not fail says Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan promised Nigerians on Monday that he would not fail as President, but challenged the citizens to renew their hope and faith in the possibilities that lie ahead.

“Let me assure all Nigerians that we shall not fail,” Jonathan told Nigerians in a dawn broadcast to mark the nation’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

The President added, “I am confident that Nigeria would continue to be a source of pride to its citizens, to Africa and the black race and to humanity. We have remained a strong nation. I bring to you today, the message of renewed hope and faith in the many possibilities that lie ahead.”

The anniversary was celebrated within the Presidential Villa amid tight security all around the Federal Capital

Patience absent

The President’s wife, Patience, was expectedly absent from the event witnessed by top government functionaries and friends of the administration. Patience is believed to be receiving treatment for an undisclosed disease at a German hospital though the Presidency has kept mum on the condition of the President’s wife.

Accredited participants at the event included a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gown; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal; and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mariam Mukhtar.

Others were ministers, service chiefs, presidential aides, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the National Assembly and selected captains of industry.

Jonathan appeared at the event in full military ceremonial dress of a Field Marshal.

Low-key celebration

Like last year, the Presidency had opted for a low-key celebration which, according to the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, was to avoid “ostentatious spending.”

But the citizens believe as a whole that the indoor celebration was occasioned by the terrorist activities of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and general insecurity in the country.

Respondents in Abuja had said they had no problem with Jonathan’s decision to celebrate the nation’s independence anniversary within the confines of his official residence given the risk that open celebration could pose to them.

A passer-by near the usual venue of the celebrations at the Eagle Square, Wale Olaoye, said, “It was better not to celebrate than to celebrate and have casualties.”

“You never can tell what will happen; you don’t know who is planning what, so, the best thing is to cancel the traditional  march past and other activities associated with the day.We don’t want to lose more lives to dastardly attacks; we will all pray for Nigeria that day in our respective homes,’’ he added.

Another respondent, Oliver Amah, had told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday that there was no need for such celebrations where security personnel would outnumber the people who had come to have fun.

Presidential charge

The present security challenges, notwithstanding, Jonathan, in his 17-minute broadcast, said the country, under his watch, would continue to grow from strength to strength.

 “Over the years, several leaders have built on the foundations laid by our founding fathers. The baton is now in our hands. Let me assure all Nigerians that we shall not fail.

“I am confident that Nigeria would continue to be a source of pride to its citizens, to Africa and the black race and to humanity. A land that is known for progress, freedom, peace and the promotion of human dignity,” he said.

He added that he had an unshaken belief in the future of the country and that he considered it a priority and a sacred duty to continue to strengthen the bond of unity that holds the nation together.

Jonathan said the nation was making progress in the economic, electoral, power, maritime and agriculture sectors, adding that despite the global economic meltdown, Nigeria’s economy had been growing in leaps and bounds.

He said the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, driven mainly by non-oil sector, had grown by 7.1 per cent on average.

The President added that anti-corruption war remained the priority of his government, and that the efforts of his government were recognised by the Transparency International.

He said, “The fight against the scourge of corruption is a top priority of our administration.

“We are fighting corruption in all facets of our economy, and we are succeeding. We have put an end to several decades of endemic corruption associated with fertiliser and tractor procurement and distribution. We have exposed decades of scam in the management of pensions and fuel subsidy, and ensured that the culprits are being brought to book.”

He said he was able to achieve the feat because of his decision not to interfere in the activities of the nation’s anti-graft agencies.

The President however admitted that the progress of the country was being hampered by insecurity but promised that the country would soon be made safe.

Flood victims

On the flood ravaging many states of the federation, Jonathan said he shared in the grief of the victims.

He promised that the Federal Government would assist the governments of the affected states with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem.

The President asked Nigerians to remain steadfast and be committed to the common good.

“I call on all Nigerians to rediscover that special spirit that enabled us to triumph over every adversary. As a people, we weathered the storm of the civil war and refused to be broken by sectarian crisis.

“We have remained a strong nation.”

While the event lasted, security in the FCT was unusually tight.

Communication shut-down

Ahead of the commencement of the event, armed soldiers were drafted on the streets of Abuja, especially on the major roads leading to the Presidential Villa.

The soldiers were seen stopping and searching vehicles on the roads even as many residents chose to stay indoors for the better part of the morning hours.

Helicopters of the Nigerian Police and those of the Nigerian Army hovered over the villa while the anniversary ceremony was taking place while telecommunications networks were shut down thus making it impossible for guests inside the Villa to communicate with those outside.

Accredited guests, including members of the Federal Executive Council and the diplomatic corps, were directed to park their vehicles on the premises of the Villa’s Banquet Hall from where they were driven to and fro the venue located in front of the President’s office. Members of staff and journalists who had hitherto been given the privilege of parking their cars inside the park near the president’s office were restricted to the premises of the Banquet Hall or the general car park opposite the Officers’ Mess.

Our correspondents who went around the FCT observed a large contingent of armed policemen and National Security and Civil Defence Corps members keeping watch over the Federal Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria, National Christian Centre, states liaison offices and the Nigerian Television Authority office, among other public institutions.

 The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Emma Okey, told one of our correspondents that the deployment of armed security personnel was part of the security strategies to prevent terrorist attacks during the celebrations.

He said` the security men were on duty to protect lives and property and to ensure that critical national infrastructure and other potential targets were secure.

“The security men were on duty to ensure law and order as well as protect national infrastructure which could be targeted and attacked by terrorists. The deployment of our men is a routine exercise, and besides, today (Monday) is Independence Day celebrations and we have to make sure that Abuja is safe and secure for everyone,” Okey said.

New brigade

Highlights of the two-hour event included presidential presentation of regimental colour to the newly established 176 Special Forces battalion of the Brigade of Guard.

The new battalion was said to have been established because of the security challenges in the country.

The establishment brought the number of battalions under the Guard to three.

Its personnel are expected to complement the existing two under the leadership of the Commander, Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

Jonathan also signed the Independence Anniversary register, released pigeons to signify peace and cut the anniversary cake.

No insecurity –Abati

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, denied insinuations that the ceremony was held inside the Villa for fear of attack by members of Boko Haram.

Abati in an interview with State House correspondents said the President had made it clear that the celebration of the nation’s independence would remain low-keyed until the celebration of the nation’s amalgamation centenary.

He said, “Two years ago, we had the 50 years celebration of the nation’s independence and that was a big event.

“That is why he said between that 50th anniversary of independence and the centenary; we will be having low-key events. That was what happened last year and this year.”