President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday, led Nigerians from all levels of society to celebrate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary parade held at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The event was marked with all sorts of activities, including military drills and artistic performances.
It was graced by many dignitaries, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former President Goodluck Jonathan; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
Others were the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; ministers; the service chiefs and other heads of security and intelligence agencies; members of the National Assembly; and members of the diplomatic corps.
The ceremony began with the national anthem, some minutes after President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at Eagle Square, and inspected the guards on parade, before proceeding to the VIP box to observe the parade processions.
The major highlights of the celebration at Eagle Square included parades and marches passed by the nation’s military forces, some paramilitary outfits, cadets of the Nigeria Military School (NMS), and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) among others.
Also, the Nigerian Air Force did a couple of flying displays with some of the aircraft recently procured for the various anti-terrorism fight, as well as minutes of cultural displays by the cultural troupe.
The ceremony was closed with the signing of the anniversary register by President Buhari, three hearty cheers by the parade and finally the firing of 21 artillery volleys for the national salute, the National Anthem, and the march off of the parade.
