Anniversary finally provided an opportunity
for the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to
meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at
the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
There had been reports in the media
suggesting that Buhari has frustrated all
efforts by Saraki to see him following the
manner the latter emerged as Senate
President against entrenched interests in the
ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Joined by the Vice President, Prof Yemi
Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and
the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud
Mohammed, the leaders preceded to the
President's office for small talks after sharing
light refreshments at the venue of the
independence ceremony.
In a brief chat with newsmen after the
meeting, Saraki spoke of Nigeria after 55
years of independence, saying "I am hopeful
and confident that the future is very bright. In
the next few years, things will be even better.
"It will not be business as usual. We will
ensure that the National Assembly will be
people-oriented and will make laws that will
make impact on Nigerians."
On his part, the Chief Justice simply said,
"We will make it by the grace of God. We are
on the right path."
Meanwhile, the one-and-half-hour
Independence Anniversary event took place
at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa,
Abuja, decorated in green and white colours
and featured the ceremonial Presidential
Change of Guards Parade.
The parade was mounted by officers and men
of the 177 Battalion and 7 Battalion of the
Presidential Guards Brigade, Abuja.
Other features of the colourful event included
inspection of new guard/quarter guard; silent
drill; posting of sentries; colour/flags patrol;
21-gun salute and echelon reporting of
parade, among others.
There were also foot and arms drill, rhythmic
march steps, and inspection by parade
commander of the soldiers' weapons to
ensure they were battle ready.
At the end of the parade, President Buhari
signed the independence anniversary register
and released white pigeons to signify peace.
He was accompanied in carrying this out by a
few of the dignitaries present, including the
Service Chiefs; Inspector-General of Police,
Solomon Arase; and former leaders.
Among other dignitaries at the event were
former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon
(rtd), and erstwhile Head of the defunct
Interim National Government, Chief Ernest
Shonekan.
Former Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme;
Deputy Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and former Chiefs of
General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and Lt.
Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd); and former Senate
President, Joseph Wayas, attended the
ceremony.
There were also National Chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun;
APC governorship candidate in Bayelsa State,
Timipre Sylva; former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Babagana
Kingibe; former IGP, Tafa Balogun; and
members of the diplomatic corps.
