Thursday, 1st October 2015 marked the 55th anniversary of the Independence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from United Kingdom in 1960.
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| Google on October 1st |
For us in Malaysia, there would be a National Day parade at Dataran Merdeka. All three branches of the Armed Forces, Police, government agencies and private sector companies, fly by of the police and military assets, the war veterans and the school children etc. etc.
Here, it was the ceremonial change of guard at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. It was like the one in Buckingham Palace but with more fanfare. All dignitaries came. Even H.E Datuk Lim Juay Jin, Malaysia High Comm were there to witness the event on behalf of my country.
*all pictures were taken from the TV
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| Arrival of the President Muhammadu Buhari |
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| the VP and President |
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| Cake cutting ceremony |
It was around 10.30 when the president arrived and the ceremony started with the national anthem, the handover of the colours and the inspection of the troops etc.
Added to the ceremony however, was the cake cutting, releasing the dove and the president signing a book commemorating the celebration of the 55th Independence of Nigeria. 55 years is a long time. A man would be a grandfather by then, my father a year earlier actually. Old and wise. But building a nation is not easy. Lots of challenges ahead. The president was quoted..
"We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens."
Change we must...not an option.
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