FG Inaugurates 12-Man Committee for Independence Day

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has inaugurated a 12-man Inter-Ministerial Committee that will oversee the execution of Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary on October 1.

The 12-man committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha.

He disclosed that the idea behind the early plan was to begin demonstration in visible terms to achieve the best result.

Speaking, the SGF said that, “The idea behind this is to begin demonstration in visible terms, President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to use minimal resources, financial (human and materials), to achieve an optimal result.”

The committee, under the Chairmanship of the SGF, has Ministers of Information; Interior; Federal Capital Territory; Investments, Trade and Industry; and Health, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of Security Service (DSS) as members.

Others are Commander, Guard Brigade, Permanent Secretary, State House (Liaison with the National Mosque and State House security), Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in SGF (Liaison with Ecumenical Centre), Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Office in SGF’s office.

The proposed activities for the 61st anniversary, according to Mr Mustapha include concluding activities for Nigeria’s 61th anniversary, which according to him are, Church Service on Sunday, September 26 and Jumm’at Prayers on Friday, October 1 and Award Night slated for Sunday, October 3.

He added that there will be a national broadcast from the President and Independence Day Parade at Eagle Square on Friday, October  1.

Also, the Minister of Investments, Trade and Industry, Mr Niyi Adebayo, who doubles as the head of the sub-committee, highlighted that the committee had already formed its members to make the celebration a huge success.

Mr Adebayo said the sub-committee would undertake the exhibition of made-in-Nigeria products in collaboration with Business Visa Training Company Limited, a showcase of local dances indigenous to the people of each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“This is in collaboration with Toastmasters Communications Limited.

“The exercise will also include, photo exhibition to showcase Nigeria’s political history from independence to date and its rich cultural heritage,” he said.

Mr Adebayo further disclosed that the Ministry of Information and Culture would anchor the whole exercise in collaboration with a private sector operator, RAA Heritage Global Resources Limited.

The minister said that the Federal Government would use the occasion to recognise exceptional Nigerians who have made significant contributions to the growth of the national economy.