President Bola Tinubu joked that the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day military parade afforded him the opportunity to “sleep well” and enjoy a “nice breakfast” on Wednesday.
The Federal Government had earlier cancelled the parade that was scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, October 1.
The cancellation, which the government stressed was “in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary,” was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
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Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts (formerly the National Arts Theatre) in Lagos, Tinubu said the event broke the “monotony of the usual military parade.”
The President stated that he enjoyed the evening at the inauguration, which was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.
He told the gathering: “I’m more than grateful for tonight. I enjoyed the evening. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything. By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,” he said.
Tinubu arrived at the monument at about 6:24 p.m. for the reopening ceremony. He had renamed the edifice the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in July 2024 in honor of the Nobel Laureate.
The President expressed his satisfaction with the renaming, describing Soyinka as “one of the greatest assets of the world, Africa and Nigeria” who has contributed greatly to nation-building and freedom.
Tinubu added: “So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre.”
The unveiling was attended by dignitaries including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, along with the host, Professor Wole Soyinka.
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