The Federal Government says Nigeria deserves a befitting 60th anniversary celebration because the country remains one despite the various challenges it has been facing.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said, “Some may wonder why Nigeria needs to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee at all, considering the myriad of socio-economic challenges facing the country.”
“Our answer to that is contained in our theme of ‘Together.’ “For a country that has gone through a bitter, internecine civil war, years of political crisis, daunting security challenges, including religious and ethnic crisis, etc, our unity and our resilience (which by the way is what diamond represents) are worth celebrating.
“Also, in certain cultures, the age of 60 is seen as the beginning of a new cycle of life, and is usually well marked. For Nigeria as a country, the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari offers a new beginning.”
The minister said the government was working hard to build a new Nigeria, laying the building blocks for industrial and technological development by building massive infrastructures in the areas of power, roads, bridges, rail etc. and by developing human capital.
Mohammed, who said the celebration would be low-key, however, said “staggered” activities marking it would last one year.
He said, “The 60th independence anniversary celebration will be low-key, as Mr President has already announced.
