Due to the economic recession in Nigeria, the Federal Government has opted for a low-key celebration of the 56th independence anniversary. President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the programme of events to commemorate the independence anniversary on 1st October 2016. Conveying this message in a statement in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer Babachir Lawal, said President Buhari would mark the event at the Presidential Villa with the Service Chiefs, top government functionaries and other prominent Nigerians based on strict invitation.
According to the programme of the event, inter-denominational thanksgiving church service would be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 4.00 pm at the National Worship Centre, Abuja. The Public Lecture and Ju’maat prayers would also be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at the National Mosque, Abuja. The statement signed by the Director, Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, said President Buhari would perform the Presidential Change of Guard on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 3.00 pm at the Forecourt of the Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja.
