The National Steering Committee for Nigeria @ 50 has releases the timetable of programmes to mark 50 years of Nigeria’s independence as the government would soon commission an Independence Tower in Lagos.
The Economic Confidential has gathered that a redesigned Nigerian 50 naira note and non-circulating coins will be launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria, while 50 distinguished Nigerians will be conferred with national honours to commemorate the 50th year Independence Anniversary.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, who unveiled the timetable of events at a world press briefing in Abuja said Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary should be viewed as a tool for strengthening the structures and values that promote democracy, good governance and good neighbourliness.
Alhaji Ahmed, represented by the Director-General, Nigeria @50, Dr. Babakura Kaigama, said “We survived as a nation and as a people. As a nation we have gone through various eras including an oil boom, a grueling and painful civil war, the various structural adjustment programmes, many military coups and political imbroglios, ethno-religious and political machinations which we came through successfully.
“In spite of all these rough times, we have endured and survived as a nation and as a people. It is this resillience that makes Nigeria an intriguing nation and we should celebrate it.
“It is pleasurable that our nation has remained independent, indivisible, peace-loving and progressive”, the SGF added.
He said the celebration would present the nation with the opportunity to celebrate its achievements, even if they are modest, in the political and economic spheres.
In the meantime, programmes lined up from September 14 to October 3, 2010 include an Anniversary Lecture: “ICT Age, its implication for Nigeria and Africa”, a Public Debate “Nigeria @ 50: Celebrating Resilience” and Launching of the Compendium on Nigeria.
Other events are Juma’at Prayers, Church Service, Food Week, Visit by the First Lady and Minister of Women Affairs to selected orphanages, prisons and hospitals, Commissioning of the Ford Foundation New Office Building in Lagos/Roundtable on Governance in Africa and the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament.
Also, speaking at the briefing, the event manager, Nigeria @ 50, Prince Patrick Osobase called on the media to give maximum support in publicizing the celebration.
The theme for the celebration is “50 years of Celebrating Greatness”.
