The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, on Saturday. The minister commended Nigerians for their patience adding that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Tunji-Ojo urged the citizens to use the anniversary to reflect on the labour of past heroes.
“The minister also reiterated the need for Nigerians to reflect on the labour of our heroes past and be inspired for the tasks ahead, realising that a Nigeria of our dream can only be built when we unite”, the statement added
The minister urged the citizens to remain steadfast in building the nation.
However, as Nigeria prepares to celebrate Independence, organisers of the #FearlessOctober1 protest have declared that the police, Department of State Services, and the military would not stop them from embarking on the demonstration as planned.
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The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, and Director of Mobilisation of the group, Damilare Adenola, said mobilisation efforts had begun, adding that Nigerians were mobilising from different parts of the country for the protest.
“We have also written to the Inspector General of Police, informing him of our protest locations and reminding him of the constitutional duty of the police to protect protesters as opposed to the repression we have witnessed in times past,” said Sanyaolu.
The group explained that the FCT protest would be held at the Eagle Square, the same venue of the Independence Day parade, while the Lagos protest would take place at the Ikeja Under Bridge.
The organisers noted that the protest would be across the country, adding that only ‘immediate reversal of fuel subsidy removal’ would dissuade them from the demonstration.
However, the IG, Egbetokun, had directed the Force zonal and state commands to deploy men from Monday to strategic locations until a stand-down order was given.
