The Federal Government has inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the 2024 Independence Day Celebration.
The committee will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing all approved activities to commemorate the country’s independence.
Nigeria, which gained independence from Britain in 1960, will celebrate its 64th Independence Day on 1 October.
According to a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, the committee was inaugurated on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman on behalf of the SGF, George Akume.
Akume noted that there won’t be an elaborate celebration to reflect the tough times in the country.
“While inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee, the Chairman of the Committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman said that the 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will be low-keyed to reflect the trying times the nation is undergoing.
“SGF stated that the event will afford the government the opportunity to showcase to Nigerians its scorecard recorded within the short period in office to reposition Nigeria through its reform initiatives to deliver the dividends of democracy,” the statement partly read.
Akume said the 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will commence with the World Press Conference on Thursday, 26 September, 2024.
“Juma’at Service on Friday, 27th September, 2024; Church Service on Sunday, 29 September, 2024; on Monday, 30 September, 2024; while the Presidential Broadcast and 64th Independence Day Parade will be held on Tuesday, 1 October, 2024,” he added.
According to the statement, the committee members comprise 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 FCT; the Special Adviser to the President, Policy and Coordination; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Social Events and Inspector-General of Police.
Other Members are National Security Adviser, Director-General, Department of State Services; Commander, Guards Brigade; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Permanent Secretary, 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 1st October, 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.
