The Federal government recently unveiled the logo for Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary. However, it has received backlash for its plan to host a one-year anniversary.
‘Together Shall We Be’ was adopted as the theme for this year’s anniversary.
President Buhari stated that the anniversary would be held discreetly but it was revealed during the unveiling of the logo before the Virtual Federal Executive Council meeting that the celebration would last almost a year.
He said, “Today we stand on the threshold of history as we formally begin a series of activities commemorating Nigeria’s Diamond Anniversary. The task history has saddled me with today is to proclaim a theme that will keep us united, help us forge ahead and unveil a logo that will form the critical pillars, which (our) 11 months modest commemoration activities will rest on.”
The backlash has come from several socio-cultural organisations, such as the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Aka Ikenga, Arewa, and Afenifere, who referred to the plan as a joke and a misplaced priority on the part of the Federal government.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere chieftain, says “President Buhari and his party are joking and unfortunately toying with the destiny of the country. How can someone tell us he wants to spend a whole year to mark the anniversary of a nation that is in a crisis? Before we are talking of restructuring but today each of the ethnic nationalities is clamoring for secession and to stand on their own.”
Isuwa Dogo, a former Commissioner in Kaduna State was quoted as saying, “How can this government even contemplate such plans after imposing a hike in pump price and electricity tariff on Nigerians? Now that we are just coming out of COVID-19, the government is contemplating such plans. And it is the same government that is complaining of dwindling resources of the nation, yet they are going ahead to hold a year-long celebration. This is unfortunate.”
President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga Socio-Cultural Organization, Chief Uwazurike stated that “60 years in the life of a nation is a diamond event but not at the expense of Abraham Marlow’s hierarchy of needs. It is painful that the Federal Government sat down and expressed a desire to spend our money and time on a year-long celebration. What are we celebrating – acute food scarcity, insecurity, corruption, and lack of business opportunities?”
