NIGERIA@58... INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL Military thrills crowd with Display of competence by war vehicles, planes, ships Nigeria’s military excites Osinbajo
Members of the Armed Forces yesterday thrilled crowd at the venue of the 58th independence anniversary with the display of various war vehicles, planes and ships.
The event, which held at the Eagle Square Abuja, was kick-started with the inspection of guards by President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was followed by a march past in slow and quick time by the armed forces, police, paramilitary organizations, legions and corps members.
The event was President Yemi attended Osinbajo, by Vice former Heads of State Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, top government functionaries, diplomats, traditional and religious leaders.
The Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara were absent.
The highpoint of the occasion was the firing of volleys and 21 gun salutes, display of military equipment including anti bombs vehicles, rocket launchers, among others.
There was also an aerial display of combat readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in which over 20 aircrafts flew across the venue of the independence anniversary at intervals.
The occasion climaxed with the signing of the anniversary register by President Buhari.
The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said the display showed the readiness of the armed forces to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
Mustapha, who recalled that the occasion was last celebrated in 2010, said 23 war planes have been purchased by the present administration.
Also Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said, “The military is the pride of the nation thus you need to showcase what you have and what you are capable of doing and what we displayed today shows our capability at all times.” Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday expressed satisfaction with the competence and capabilities of Nigerian military.
Osinbajo spoke with newsmen after the 58th Independence Day Parade by the military and para military organisations at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier inspected a Guard which was followed by a match past and a display of military equipment by the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and Nigeria Police.
“I am extremely excited about the prospects and the future of our great country.
“I think that just looking at the displays today, and looking at the competence and capability of our military there is such great hope and excitement.
“So, it is a fantastic time for our country and we are all very hopeful; we are very expectant of a greater and much greater future for the nation,” the Vice President said.
Osinbajo, had at an Interdenominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Sunday as part of activities marking the Independence celebration, prayed God to bless and exalt Nigeria. (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the ability to harness Nigeria’s strength in its diversity will propel the country to deserved heights.
The APC, which said this yesterday its 58th Independence Day message released by the acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, said Nigerians could do a lot more together for the progress and development of the country whose future is bright. The party assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration was focussed on the pressing issues that directly affected Nigerians, especially security, economy and fighting corruption, stating that “These are promises we made and we will keep.”
“We must continue to build and consolidate on the efforts of our founding fathers to ensure a united Nigeria. Despite our seeming differences, our ability to harness the strength of our diversity will propel the country to its deserved heights among the comity of progressive nations.
“We must look back at where we started and see the tremendous progress we are making as a country, particularly under the President Buhari-led APC administration,” the APC said.
The party said “As we go into General Elections in 2019, the need to elect responsive and responsible governments at all levels has become more imperative. We must not allow those individuals and their political party that ruined the country return to governance.”