President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the cancellation of the military parade traditionally held to mark Nigeria’s Independence anniversary afforded him rare rest and a refreshing start to the day.
Daily Trust reports that the Federal Government had on Monday announced the cancellation of the parade earlier scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day. The announcement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, stressed that the decision was “in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.”
Speaking on Wednesday evening at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, President Tinubu said the break from the usual march-past allowed him to enjoy a different kind of Independence celebration.
“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything. By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,” the President told the gathering.
The President, who arrived at the venue around 6:24 p.m., described the event as a refreshing departure from the routine, noting that he enjoyed the atmosphere of culture and creativity.
The renovation of the iconic monument was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee. Tinubu had in July 2024 renamed the edifice the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate.
Dignitaries present at the reopening ceremony included the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; and the host of the occasion, Professor Wole Soyinka himself.
Tinubu praised Soyinka as a global icon and one of Nigeria’s greatest assets, whose life and works embody the struggle for freedom and the pursuit of nation-building.
“So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,” the President added with humour.
The 65th Independence Anniversary, though devoid of the traditional parade, thus shifted its focus to the celebration of culture and creative expression — a theme the President described as fitting for the occasion.
