The Federal Government has launched the Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with overseeing the low-key 2024 Independence Day celebration. This committee will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing all approved activities to mark the nation’s 64th anniversary of independence.
During the inauguration, the Chairman of the Committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, explained that the event will be toned down to reflect the current challenges facing the country.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information in the SGF’s office, Segun Imohiosen, Akume highlighted that the celebration will provide the government with an opportunity to present its achievements in office so far, focusing on reforms aimed at delivering the dividends of democracy and repositioning Nigeria.
According to the statement, “The 64th Independence Anniversary celebration will commence with the World Press Conference on Thursday, 26th September 2024 with the following line-up of activities to mark the national event Juma’at Service on Friday, 27th September, 2024; Church Service on Sunday, 29th September 2024; on Monday, 30th September 2024; while the Presidential Broadcast, and 64th Independence Day Parade will hold on Tuesday, 1st October 2024.”
The committee’s members include the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Information and National Orientation, Interior and foreign Affairs, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Additional members are the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Events, and the Inspector-General of Police.
The committee also includes the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Commander of the Guards Brigade, as well as the Permanent Secretaries of the General Services Office, Ministry of Health, and Political and Economic Affairs Office, all under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
“The Terms of Reference for the Inter-Ministerial Committee is to plan, organise, and execute all approved activities befitting the Independence Day Celebration on October 1st, 2024; co-opt any organisation(s)/ person(s) relevant towards the successful execution of the programme; document for posterity, all planned activities for the anniversary; and carry out any other assignment as may be required towards the successful implementation of the celebration.”
