The Federal Government has unveiled the schedule for the 2024 Independence Day celebration.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will kick off with a World Press Conference scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024.
According to Naija News reports, Akume revealed this during the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with overseeing the 2024 Independence Day Celebration.
The committee will plan, organize, and execute all sanctioned activities to honour the nation’s independence.
Nigeria, which achieved independence from British rule in 1960, is set to mark its 64th Independence Day on October 1.
As stated by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information in the Office of the SGF, the committee was inaugurated on Thursday, September 19, by Hadiza Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Akume emphasized that the celebration will not be extravagant, reflecting the current challenging circumstances the country faces.
Akume, who is the chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, noted that the 64th Independence Anniversary will be observed in a subdued manner to mirror the difficult times the nation is experiencing.
He stated that the event will allow the government to present its achievements during its brief tenure aimed at repositioning Nigeria through reform initiatives that deliver the benefits of democracy, as noted in the statement.
“Juma’at Service on Friday, 27th September 27, 2024; Church Service on Sunday, September 29, 2024; on Monday, September 30, 2024; while the Presidential Broadcast and 64th Independence Day Parade will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024,” he added.
The committee is composed of several key officials, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, the Senior Special Assistant to the President for Social Events, and the Inspector-General of Police.
Additionally, the committee includes the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commander of the Guards Brigade, the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation), the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, and the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation).
“The Terms of Reference for the Inter-Ministerial Committee is to plan, organize, and execute all approved activities befitting the Independence Day Celebration on October 1st, 2024; Co-opt any organization(s)/ person(s) relevant towards the successful execution of the programme; Document for posterity, all planned activities for the Anniversary; and Carry out any other assignment as may be required towards the successful implementation of the Celebration,” the statement added.