Celebrating Nigeria's Independence In Low Key.

Mr. Labaran Maku

The Federal Government yesterday explained why it opted for a low-key celebration of the nation’s 51st Independence Anniversary.
It said the austere celebration has nothing to do with bomb explosions and threats by some militia groups.
Information and Communications Minister Mr. Labaran Maku said government set aside the celebration to reflect on issues, adding that “it is not every year that the government would roll out the drums.”
Maku said in the last one year, the country has had two elaborate celebrations – Nigeria’s 50th anniversary in 2010 and the inauguration of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration last May 29.
He said this is not the first time Nigeria would be avoiding an elaborate anniversary celebration.
The minister debunked yesterday’s reports in a national newspaper (not The Nation) linking the low-key celebration with security concerns about a possible attack by the Boko Haram sect.
He said: “Firstly, I’m disappointed by one of the front page stories in one of the leading newspapers today (yesterday), claiming that the Federal Government has stepped down celebrations in this year’s anniversary because of “Boko Haram ccare.” That story was the highest level of irresponsibility.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must put the interest of this country first. The President has just signed the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act into Law as a sign of this administration’s commitment to promoting freedom of the press.
“It is increasingly a matter of concern the way a few newspapers have been reporting the security challenges this nation has. In the first instance, every Nigerian is aware that even during the military regime, it was not every anniversary that the nation celebrated with military parade.
“As a former commissioner in this dispensation, I know that for several years, we never celebrated independence with military parade, where pupils engage in march past.


The Nation Nwespapers.