The Federal Government has announced that the 2023 Democracy Day Celebration on June 12 will be a low-key affair in order to cut cost due to the elaborate presidential inauguration held two weeks ago.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja said: “It is pertinent to state that having had an elaborate Presidential inauguration this year, activities to mark the 2023 June 12, Democracy Day will be low key.
“The activities lined up for celebration are the press briefing and the president’s address to the nation by 7 am on Monday”.
The SGF stated that the address which will be the first since his inaugural speech on May 29 will be broadcast live on all major stations and streamed on various social media platforms.
Akume noted that the Democracy Day has been reviewed to be celebrated annually from May, 29 to June 12 to honour the heroes who championed the struggle and made extraordinary sacrifices for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 till date.
“However, May 29 remains the date or anniversary of handing over or taking over of power, and this happens every four years according to the Nigerian Constitution”, the SGF stated.
He also said that to commemorate this year’s anniversary, it is expedient for citizens and foreigners alike to take stock of how the nation has fared so far and assess the dividends that democracy has ensued as well as areas where the nation need to make improvements.
Akume said:“It is in light of this that the theme of this year’s Democracy celebration is Hope Reassured”.
He assured Nigerians that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure citizens’ safety, before, during, and after the celebration.
Also present at the press briefing are Permanent Secretary/Chairperson,
Media & Publicity Sub-committee, DR. Mrs. Ngozi Onwudiwe; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr Olusade Adesola; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Maurice Nnamdi Mbaeri; Mr. Dele Alake who works closely with the President; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa among others.
