Nigeria @ 66: Niger, Kaduna, Rivers Cancel Celebrations

BY ABU NMODU, ANAYO ONUKWUGHА, NONYE EKWENUGO, ATTAH ANTHONY, FEMI OYEWESO, INIOBONG EKPONTA, FELIX IGBEKOYI, NNAMDI MBAWIKE, ABDULLAHI OLESIN, HENRY TYOHEMBA, ADEGWU JOHN, ALO ABIOLA, DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI, FRANCIS OKOYE

As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Niger, Kaduna and Rivers states have cancelled public celebrations, while Taraba and Ogun have opted for low-key commemorations.

The scaled-down celebrations come amid economic hardship, security concerns and calls from students, labour and other stakeholders for reforms that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

 

Niger Cancels Celebration Over Miners’ Deaths

In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago cancelled the Independence Day celebration in honour of the 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, said the state would not engage in fanfare but would join in prayers for the country.

The governor would also not participate in public functions to celebrate the anniversary as he continued to receive visitors coming to interact with him.

 

Rivers Suspends Independence Parade

In Rivers State, the government said it had cancelled the 66th Independence Day parade in line with the Federal Government’s decision.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt.

The statement said the state government felicitated with Nigerians at home and abroad but decided that there would be no Independence Day parade in Rivers State.

It said the anniversary would instead be observed “in a modest and purposeful manner”, reflecting the solemnity of the occasion and the shared responsibility of building a stronger Nigeria.

The government encouraged Rivers people to mark the day with patriotism, reflection and renewed commitment to peace, unity and progress.

 

Kaduna Puts Celebration On Hold

The Kaduna State Government has also cancelled the public celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026.

One of the event planners involved in the preparations, who pleaded anonymity, told LEADERSHIP that all arrangements for the celebration had been put on hold.

However, the reason for the decision could not be independently established as of press time.

Efforts to confirm the development from the Kaduna State Government were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa, went unanswered.

The state government had also not issued an official statement confirming the cancellation as of press time.

 

Taraba Chooses Prayers, Broadcast

Taraba State Government said it would mark the anniversary with a low-key celebration, abandoning the elaborate activities traditionally organised to commemorate the occasion.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Agbu Kefas, Yusuf Sanda, said the decision was in line with the nature of the national event.

He said there would be no elaborate gathering involving students, government officials and other residents as was customary in previous years.

Instead, the state government marked the anniversary with prayers involving Christian and Muslim faithful, while Governor Kefas was scheduled to deliver a statewide broadcast by 10am.

Sanda said the broadcast would replace the traditional elaborate celebration, with the governor expected to address citizens and reflect on the significance of the nation’s independence.

 

Ekiti, Borno Without Public Events

In Ekiti State, there was no planned public event to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day.

The day also marks the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State on October 1, 1996, by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji was, however, scheduled to deliver a statewide broadcast at 7am on Thursday, to be aired on radio and television stations across the state.

Borno State has also not celebrated Independence Day for a long time.

When contacted to ascertain whether there would be any celebration on October 1, the governor’s spokesman, Mallam Dauda Iliya, said there was no activity lined up for the day.

 

Ogun Scales Down Activities

In Ogun State, indications also emerged that the government had opted for a low-key celebration.

Apart from the Jumat prayer held last Friday and the interdenominational church service held last Sunday at St Peter’s Cathedral, Ake, Abeokuta, no elaborate public programme had been announced.

The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said he would confirm the state’s level of preparedness and revert.

However, hundreds of emergency food vendors, soft-drink hawkers, transporters and other traders in Abeokuta, who had stocked their wares in anticipation of the annual celebration, could be affected by the scaled-down activities.

Many of the traders reportedly depend on such events and often obtain loans to finance their businesses.

Despite favourable weather conditions, a peaceful political atmosphere and the availability of funds to the state government, Akinmade could not give a reason for the low-key celebration, other than suggesting that it might be in line with the Federal Government’s position.

 

Akwa Ibom, Delta, Enugu Proceed

Akwa Ibom State, however, will join the Federal Government in celebrating the 66th Independence anniversary.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, said, “Akwa Ibom will join the federal government in the celebration.”

He added that the ongoing commissioning of projects, which began ahead of the September 23 anniversary of the state’s creation, would continue.

The Delta State Government has also declared October 1 a public holiday and said the 66th anniversary was worthy of celebration.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon, said the governor would deliver an Independence Day speech alongside official ceremonies, military parades, cultural displays and other public events, including the commissioning of new infrastructure.

Although the parades may not be as elaborate as in previous years, students, labour unions, civil servants and security personnel are expected to attend.

Economic concerns and security are expected to feature prominently in the governor’s address.

A civil servant, Mrs Mary Oyakilome, said some Deltans, including members of her family, would use the holiday to visit recreation centres, beaches, shopping malls, eateries and amusement parks with their children.

Enugu State is also set to commemorate the anniversary, providing an opportunity for residents, government officials, traditional institutions, civil society groups and other stakeholders to reflect on the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s development.

The occasion is also expected to provide a platform to consider what independence means to Nigerians, how their lives have changed and what they expect from the country.

Schools and other government institutions are not expected to open on October 1.

 

Kwara, Ondo Join Celebration

There are also strong indications that Kwara State will proceed with its Independence anniversary activities.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, said, “We haven’t announced any cancellations.”

LEADERSHIP reports that the state government commenced its anniversary activities with a Jumat service last Friday.

Government officials, including the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe; Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Usman Ndanusa; and Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alh Saadu Salahu, joined the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, at a special Jumat service at the Ilorin Central Mosque, Oja-Oba.

The Ondo State Government has also confirmed that it will celebrate the 66th Independence Anniversary.

The Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, said the anniversary would be observed “with all sense of modesty”, despite the challenges facing the country.

“Nigeria is worthy of celebration,” the commissioner said, reaffirming the state government’s decision to mark the anniversary.

 

Students Seek Emergency On Hostel Crisis

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other stakeholders have called for urgent reforms in the education sector, particularly improved student accommodation and stronger efforts to tackle the problem of out-of-school children.

NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, congratulated students on the anniversary and urged them to remain hopeful about Nigeria’s future despite the challenges confronting the country.

Afeez assured students that NANS would continue to defend their interests and welfare.

He urged the Federal and state governments to jointly declare a state of emergency on student accommodation and embark on the construction and rehabilitation of hostels in tertiary institutions across the country.

“My message to Nigerian students is: Happy Independence Day. I congratulate every one of us as we celebrate another year of independence in Nigeria.

“Though we are not where we wish to have been, we should celebrate how far we have come and where we are today. We should also celebrate that we still have a country of our own, and that our hopes remain high for a better future.

“So, to all Nigerian students, I celebrate and congratulate you on this Independence Day. I want to assure Nigerian students that, as far as the leadership of NANS is concerned, we will continue to stand for and protect their interests.”

 

NANS Demands Better Hostels

Afeez called for increased investment in educational infrastructure, particularly student hostels.

According to him, the condition of many hostels across the country remains inadequate, making it difficult for students to live and study in conducive environments.

“I want the Federal Government to invest more in educational infrastructure, especially student hostels. These are areas where I really want the Federal Government to focus its attention,” he said.

“Our hostels are not in good shape across the country. We want better hostels where students can sleep, read and study in a conducive environment.

“Both the state and Federal Governments should come together and declare a state of emergency on student hostels across the country,” Afeez said.

 

Educationist Wants Teachers, Out-of-school Children Prioritised

Also speaking, an educationist and Abuja-based tutor, Mr Isaac Moji, urged the government to invest more in the teaching profession and urgently address the growing number of out-of-school children.

Moji said improving the quality of education would require greater attention to teachers’ welfare, professional development and working conditions.

“The government must invest more in the teaching profession because teachers are at the heart of the education system. We cannot achieve meaningful progress in education without properly trained, motivated and well-supported teachers.

“Also, the government must intensify efforts to bring out-of-school children back into the classroom. We cannot build a prosperous nation while a large number of our children remain outside the education system,” he added.

 

NLC Demands Fuel Price Cut, Wage Award

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has presented a five-point demand to the Federal Government as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, calling for an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and urgent negotiations for a new minimum wage for 2027.

NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the demands in an Independence Day statement, saying workers and other Nigerians were facing a worsening survival crisis as inflation eroded wages and rising transport costs pushed up the prices of essential goods and services.

The labour centre also demanded the implementation of tax relief measures agreed with labour during the October 2023 dialogue, a reduction in the cost of governance and greater transparency in public spending.

According to the NLC, petrol now sells for N1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and at significantly higher prices in remote areas, with rising transport costs feeding into the prices of food, school fees, rent and other necessities.

The statement read in part: “First, we demand that the government seek ways to immediately reduce the price of petrol, as transportation costs are the central transmission mechanism of inflation in Nigeria. Without cutting this chain, any effort to ease the people’s suffering is futile.

“Second, we demand the immediate implementation of a nationwide wage award for all workers. A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income.”

 

Labour Seeks New Minimum Wage

The NLC demanded that the government expedite negotiations on a new national minimum wage.

“Fourth, we demand that the government expedite action on the new national minimum wage negotiation. The current N70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented.

“Fifth, we demand that the government reduce the cost of governance and practise transparent governance.”

The labour centre also demanded a tripartite committee to negotiate a new wage standard and have it formulated and legislated before the end of the year.

It urged the government to invest substantially in roads, hospitals, schools and other social infrastructure, arguing that functional public services and better roads were necessary to reduce economic pressures on households and improve productivity.

 

NLC Questions Subsidy Savings

The NLC questioned the outcome of the May 2023 petrol subsidy removal, noting that the government had promised that savings would be channelled into infrastructure and social services.

It asked the government to account for the savings while criticising Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being Africa’s largest oil producer.

On insecurity, the NLC said worsening violence had compounded Nigeria’s economic difficulties by disrupting farming, education and healthcare in affected areas.

It argued that poverty, unemployment, desperation and inequality were contributing to insecurity and that economic recovery would remain difficult without addressing those challenges.

“We must also remind the government that insecurity has worsened the macroeconomic situation and has become one of the greatest threats to national stability,” the statement added.

 

Labour Warns Political Actors

As campaigns intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NLC warned political actors to respect voters’ choices.

“As campaigns rage on for the 2027 general elections, we warn all political forces that the people’s choice must be respected and prevail. Any attempt to manipulate elections, intimidate voters, or exploit divisive rhetoric to incite ethnic and religious antagonism will be unacceptable to workers or all progressive forces.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress will, at the appropriate time, use our Workers’ Charter to make it clear which policies and candidates deserve the support of the working class.”