Oct 1: ‘Independence Day celebration will be low-key affair’ – SGF

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced in Abuja on Wednesday that the 2023 Independence Day anniversary would be a low-key event.

He did not disclose the reason for this decision during his conversation with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“Independence Day is a very historic event for any country, and we in Nigeria are no exception. We are fully prepared for this year’s celebration, but for obvious reasons, it is going to be low-key.

“This year’s celebration is going to be low-key; there will be no room for a fantastic jamboree at the Eagle Square and other locations,” he told reporters.

Akume admonished Nigerians to use the independence anniversary as a means of reflecting deeply on the unity of the country and the journey ahead.

“It is a time for reflection for us as a people and the journey forward for the nation, which is being led appropriately by the captain of the ship, President Bola Tinubu. We are wishing Nigerians the best of luck, and we want to assure them that better days are coming, and pretty soon too,” he added.

Commenting on the proposed strike by organised labour, the Secretary to the Government said he was optimistic that issues concerning the strike would be addressed amicably.

He, therefore, called on organised labour to be patient as the government finds a solution to their demands.

“The Labour leaders are very patriotic Nigerians, and we want to believe correctly that nobody would want to have a strike at this time in our history because it is not in the interest of the workers and it is not in the interest of anybody.

“This government is very determined to raise the standard of living of Nigerian workers and to create prosperity for all, and that is not something that can be done overnight. So it will be inappropriate to begin to judge the government on the basis of the few months that it has spent in office,” Akume said.