Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary will be a subdued affair with no foreign leaders invited, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, says.

Akume told reporters in Abuja that President Bola Tinubu approved a low-key celebration in line with the current economic realities. The theme of the anniversary is “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity.”

“No world leaders have been invited. This celebration is low-key as I said due to the realities on ground. We’ve not invited foreign leaders. Time would come that we would gather world leaders to celebrate with us. But for now, none,” Akume said.

The SGF promised that the administration, which took office in May, was still young and that Nigerians would soon see the implementation of policies and execution of projects.

According to him, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy as the best form of governance, despite political instability and coups in some parts of the West African subregion.

Akume assured the citizens that the government was aware of the economic challenges Nigerians faced since the removal of the fuel subsidy, while also citing the impact of the global economic downturn.

He further explained that the government was working to provide necessary palliatives and was engaging with labour to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has hailed members of the Senate Press Corps for promoting good governance through their reports of the parliament, appealing to them to sustain the tempo.

Speaking when he hosted members of the Corps in his office on Monday in Abuja, he said they have contributed immensely to good governance and the sustenance of democracy in the country.

He recalled that when he was chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations (2019-2023) members of the Corps had dutifully kept Nigerians informed of the activities of the committee.

He assured the Corps of the support of his new office to facilitate their report of the activities of not only his office but the entire National Assembly.

“As patriotic Nigerians, you are not only working for your organisations, you are also very positive in contributing your quota to make sure that we have good governance in this country and help our democracy to grow.

“I will appeal to you to sustain the tempo so that we can address the challenges facing us as a country,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Mr. James Itodo, presented a congratulatory card to Senator Barau for his emergence as the Deputy President of the Senate.

He thanked the Deputy President of the Senate for his positive disposition to members of the corps at all times and wished him success in his present office.

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 27th September 2023 as a public holiday.

This is to commemorate the Eid-ul-Maulid celebration, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), according to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

While making the declaration in Abuja on Monday, he congratulated all Muslim faithful both at home and in the diaspora for this year’s occasion.

“His admonition to Nigerians is to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified,” the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Oluwatoyin Akinlade said in a statement.

“The Honorable Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has urged Nigerians, especially our youths, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class, and ethnicity, and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led-Administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable Nation that all citizens will be proud of. The Minister wishes all Muslim Faithfuls a joyful celebration.”