The Federal Government has denied inviting world leaders to the country’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary, noting that it is planning to celebrate it on a low-key.
Nigeria gained Independent on October 1, 1960, thereby celebrating its Independence Day on October 1 of each calendar year.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, while speaking to newsmen on Monday said Nigeria had a lot to be grateful for, including the democratic dispensation in the country despite coup action in neighboring West African countries.
“Despite political tremors and a wave of coups in some parts of the ECOWAS sub-region, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy with its core values and practices as the best form of governance. Democracy affords the citizens the opportunity through elective structures and processes to effectively participate in the affairs of their country
“The relationship between the people and government in a representative democracy is symbiotic: while the citizens support the government, the government provides security, protects, and enhances their interests,” the SGF said.
Shedding light on the choice of the anniversary theme, the SGF said the government planning to celebrate this year’s anniversary on a low-key due to the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy, noting that the government is working assiduously to provide palliatives to mitigate the challenges and provide buses to ease hardship on transportation among others.
“The government is fully aware of the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the impact of the global economic downturn. The government is working assiduously to provide the necessary palliatives so as to mitigate such challenges and also the provision of buses to ease hardship on transportation among others. At the same time, the government is engaging with labour in order to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.
“It is for this reason that this government led by His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is anchoring on the Renewed Hope Agenda which will improve food security; guarantee end to poverty; improve security; economic growth and job creation; access to capital; improve the playing field on which people and particularly companies operate; respect for the rule of law; and fight against corruption.”
He further added that the government is also engaging with labour in order to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.
Join our twitter community :
