Activities marking Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day Celebration will commence on Friday, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed on Wednesday at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Maku said FEC deliberated on the programme for the independence celebration submitted to the Council by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, adding that the programme will begin with Muslim prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja, on Friday.
This will be followed by an inter-denomination Christian prayer at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, on Sunday.
The minister added that President Goodluck Jonathan will on Monday bestow national honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria at the International Conference Centre as part of activities marking the anniversary.
According to Maku, the President will give a national broadcast at 7.00am on October 1, while change of guards ceremony will take place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 9.00am.
The Independence Anniversary Dinner will take place later that day at 7.00pm at the State House Banquet Hall, Maku stated.
