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The Return to Eagle's Square: Nigeria's Independence

 
For the first in the past eight years, the Federal Government of Nigeria shifted Nigeria's Independence Day Celebration back to the Eagle's Square, Three Arms Zone, Abuja on October 1, 2018.
You will recall that the last time Nigeria celebrated her Independence Day at the Eagle's Square was during the 50th Anniversary in 2010, during which explosions disrupted activities at the square.

Also, the Book Haram terrorists added more salt to injury during that period when the urposeivly picked Abuja and its environs as their major battle fields and unleashed recurrent attacks and terror on the Police Headquarters, United Nations building, motor parks in Nyanya and shopping plazas all in Abuja.
During this period, Nigeria became world known as harbourers of homegrown suicide bombers


Eagle's Square, Abuja.
The Eagle Square, Abuja was constructed in 1999 to serve as the platform for the official take-off of the Fourth Republic of the Federation of Nigeria. It has since then provided the primary arena for the symbolic transfer of power and inauguration of the new Government, notably the Swearing-in Ceremony of the Executive President of the Federal Republic. The Eagle Square is used for hosting the National Day parade and the Presidential Swearing-in ceremony, as well as, in staging a number of political rallies and programmes, religious crusades, musical concerts and shows, launchings and award ceremonies, e.t.c.

The Eagle Square is conveniently set within the precincts of the major landmarks of the FCT; it is flancked on both sides by the Federal Secretariat, while it faces the national Cenotaph, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court.

It has fabulous view of the Aso Rock Hills that serve as a back drop to the Presidential Villa while to its rear is a car parking lot capable of holding at least 500 vehicles.

Long after the Goodluck Jonathan (and later, Muhammadu Buhari) administrations had firmly chased terrorism out of Abuja and into the Sambisa Forest in the North East, the Federal Government continued to hold our independence anniversaries within the confines of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for fear of the unknown. It is against this background that the return of the Independence Day celebrations to the national square, complete with the display of the nation’s military might lifted the hearts of millions of Nigerians that the worst could be over as far as our terror threats are concerned. Perhaps for the first time, a new set of young Nigerians were given the inspiring privilege to see our President, Muhammadu Buhari, come out in the open to salute the flag and review the parade mounted by the military and paramilitary forces.
Independence Day Celebration, Oct. 1, 2018.
These are the symbolisms that stoke the spirit of national unity and patriotism in the minds of the younger generations for whom the future awaits to take baton of leadership to posterity. It also helps them to appreciate Nigeria as a nation of diverse religions, cultures and ethno-linguistic colourations bound by one destiny under the constitution. When such celebrations are taken into the secure confines of the Presidential Villa with our children kept out, they are portrayed as “cult” events staged for the benefits of the privileged ruling elite alone. The significance of the independence celebration is thus lost. More importantly, celebrating our 58th independence at the Eagle Square was a show of confidence in the renewed capacity of the Federal Government to assert its might and ability to protect the people. This seemed further justified in the President’s Independence Day broadcast to the nation, when he reassured that a lot of progress had been made towards eradicating the Boko Haram terrorism. 

With the return of our independence celebrations to the Eagle Square where it belongs, we hope to see the end of terrorists, armed herdsmen and cattle-rustling bandits that have greatly caused loss of lives and property in the country.

Eagle's Square, Abuja

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