September 26, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has approved a low-key celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day.
“In alignment with the mood of the nation, the President has approved that the 64th Independence celebration should be low-keyed,” the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, disclosed on Thursday, during a press conference in Abuja.
Akume said the low-key commemoration was designed to “remind us about our strength when we stay united, our progress despite the challenges, the beauty of our diversity, the quantum leap this administration has taken within the short period in office and the beacon of a better future for all, through the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
He said the programme of events includes a World Press Conference, Special Juma’at Prayer, Inter-denominational Church Service, Presidential Broadcast, and a 64th Independence Anniversary Parade at the Presidential Villa.
Akume, who acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigerians, particularly in the wake of recent policy decisions, said, “This government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very much aware of and deeply sympathises with all Nigerians over the economic conditions we are passing through. These have been occasioned by unavoidable policy choices, including the removal of fuel subsidies, that his administration has had to make.”
He highlighted several government initiatives, including the Presidential CNG Initiative to ease transportation costs, with the recent launch of “thirty buses powered by hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)”. This is in addition to the distribution of “CNG conversion kits at no cost to Nigerians” and efforts to strengthen support for SMEs.
