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| From left: Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Mahumud Mohammed; Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President Sen. Bukola Saraki; Former Head of State Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami; Minister of Defence Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, observe as President Buhari |
President Muhammadu
Buhari on Saturday in Abuja presided over the celebration of Nigeria’s 56th
Independence Anniversary with former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami
Abubakar and other personalities in attendance.
News
Agency of Nigeria report continues:
The
low-key event, which took place at the fore-court of the Presidential Villa,
was Buhari’s second independence celebration since he took over the leadership
of the nation on May 29, last year.
President
Buhari, who appeared in white traditional attires of Babbar Riga with a white
cap, inspected the quarter guards before marching to the Presidential Villa
forecourt to receive national salute
The
national salute was followed by rendition of the National Anthem.
The
Christian prayers were offered by the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory
Christian Association of Nigeria, Israel Akonji.
The
Deputy Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Prof. Taofeeq Abdulazeez, offered the
Muslim prayers.
The
event witnessed the inspection of new Guard/Quarter guard, silent drills,
posting of sentries and colour, while weapons and uniforms were inspected to
ensure conformity with military standards by the Commander, Brigade of Guards,
Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf.
After
the ceremony, Buhari signed the anniversary register and released 56 pigeons
from a cage.
President
Buhari, assisted by Vice President Osinbajo; Senate President Bukola Saraki;
Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and some top
dignitaries, cut the anniversary cake.
Dignitaries
at the ceremony include, former Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, retired
Gen. Oladipo Diya; APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; and former
Senate President, Ken Nnamani.
Others
were; the Service Chiefs, top government functionaries and members of the
diplomatic corps.
Speaking
to State House correspondents after the ceremony, Senate President Bukola
Saraki expressed confidence that the nation’s economy would bounce back.
He
said that the National Assembly has already sent a 20-point agenda to the
executive to help Nigeria come out of recession.
He added that NASS had
started implementing four points of the agenda.
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