The Lagos State Government has announced a list of activities lined up for a low-key commemoration of the Nigeria 60th Independence anniversary celebration.
Speaking on the planned celebration at a Press Conference held today at Alausa, Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, noted that this year’s celebration will be held low-key in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
According to him, “This year’s Diamond anniversary is a milestone and you will agree with me that it is worth celebrating. 60 years of unity, despite various challenges the Nigerian State has faced and surmounted; 60 years of ongoing socio-economic development; 60 formidable years of forging ahead in spite of several daunting obstacles lining our path of greatness”.
While calling for sober reflection and thanksgiving to the Almighty for keeping the Nigerian State together thus far, Elegushi reiterated the determination of Lagos State to continually be the face of Nigeria in infrastructural development, industrialisation, trade investments and information technology as the State has always been in the fore-front of the noble effort of bringing greater development to the nation.
The Commissioner averred that these are evident in the ongoing massive infrastructural developments in the State in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration, which is aimed at aiding commercial activities and geared towards making Lagos a 21st-century economy.
He stated that many creative initiatives in Lagos have yielded tremendous dividends to the State and its people as some of these programmes and policies have become templates for other states in their drive to accelerate development and the quality of lives of their respective people.
The Commissioner also commended the foresight, dedication and passion of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who deployed all resources at the government’s disposal to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the State, noting that the current administration is poised to deliver the dividends of democracy at every level of governance.
Accordingly, he said this Year’s anniversary celebration will commence with a Jumat Service on Friday, 25th September, 2020 at the Lagos State Central Mosque Alausa, Ikeja, followed by an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 27th September, 2020 at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja by 10.00 am.
“On Thursday, October 1, 2020, there will be an Independence Day Parade at the Agege Stadium by 9a.m, while a Grande Finale of the Independence Day Celebration will be observed under strict COVID-19 protocols as attendance will be by invitation only,” the Commissioner added.
In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso opined that the unity of purpose has been instrumental in the victory recorded in overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, adding that same energy when applied to other sectors of the economy will engender tremendous growth.
He further stated that the Nigerian polity needs the spirit of togetherness in order to achieve higher greatness.