The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will be low-keyed.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to unveil the activities lined up for the Anniversary.
He said that in alignment with the mood of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved that the 64th Independence celebration would be low-keyed.
Akume said the program of events had been designed to remind the citizens about “our strength when we stay united, our progress despite the challenges, the beauty of our diversity, the quantum leap this administration has taken within the short period in office and the beacon of a better future for all, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
While noting that the present administration was very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions they were passing through, he said these were occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including, the removal of fuel subsidies, that the administration had to make.
Akuke, however, stated that, “Notwithstanding the daunting challenges, ceaseless efforts are being made to cushion the immediate impact and to create new opportunities on the short, medium and long term basis, through diligent implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These Policies and Programs are being implemented for long term solutions to these problems and I assure us all that in no distant time, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the trajectory of our socio-economic development would soar higher in the positive territory.”
The SGF said President Tinubu followed through with his promises on easing transportation difficulties of the citizens with the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) and the launch of the first phase of thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
“This is work in progress because the Presidential Initiative is designed to expand across all geo-political zones of the country.
“The government has also commissioned the first retrofitted CNG train head for the Abuja-Kaduna track. This is intended to cut the cost of travel by up to fifty percent when fully operational.
“The President has also given priority to the growth of the economy through the SMEs.
“By so doing, he has re-focused on strengthening the back bone of our economy by empowering Nigerians to start or grow their businesses.
“The President has similarly repositioned the National Social Investment Programme to effectively address the challenges facing the poor, the vulnerable, under-served and the elderly. Nigerian workers have also benefitted from a newly approved National Minimum Wage.
“This is coming on the heels of the Wage Award paid to mitigate the plight of the workers.
“In the area of human capital development, the Nigerian Students Loan Fund has disbursed the sum of N2.5 billion to over 22,120 beneficiaries across higher institutions in the nation. This is a welcome relief for parents and an opportunity to access education by indigent students.
“Insecurity in different parts of the country has been a recurring challenge for successive governments since 1999.
“This administration has succeeded in elevating the human and institutional capacity of the armed services and other security agencies to tackle these challenges of insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities including kidnapping.
“This is already yielding results as insurgents and bandits are getting neutralised in large numbers while several others are surrendering to the authorities for deradicalisation.
“One of the major challenges facing Nigerians is rising food prices. To bolster food security, availability and ensure affordability of food, the government has removed tariffs on the importation of certain categories of food. In addition, the government has distributed fertilizers, farm inputs and other critical items to boost food production.”
He saluted the selflessness, sacrifices and immeasurable contributions of the country’s founding fathers who fought for the attainment of the nation’s independence in 1960.
“As a nation, therefore, we must recognize with pride our journey to a stable, unbroken democratic sovereignty which has spanned twenty-five years since 1999.
“We must also recognise the resilience of Nigerians and their leading contributions to global development in different fields of endeavour,” he further stated.
He announced that the Anniversary would be marked with a Special Juma’at Prayer on Friday, 27th september, 2024, at the National Mosque, Abuja, Inter-Denominational Church Service, Sunday, 29th September, 2024, at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, Presidential Broadcast, Tuesday, 1st October, 2024, 64th Independence Anniversary Parade, Tuesday, 1st October, 2024, Presidential Villa.
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