Nigeria observes low key anniversary celebration

Nigeria, for the third time running, observed a low key anniversary celebration as the nation turns 53 on Tuesday. Exactly 53 years ago, Nigeria got Independence from Britain after 46 years of colonial rule. The last time Nigeria celebrated her independence anniversary was 2010 when she turned 50, but the occasion was marred by a twin bomb blast that rocked Abuja, the country's capital city. The blast went off some meters to the Eagle Square, venue of the event where President Goodluck Jonathan and other foreign heads of states and former presidents of the country were in attendance. Many lives were lost in the incident. The country has since witnessed more bomb blast after then including the bombing of the Police Headquarters and the United Nations building both in Abuja. The security situation many believed led to the low key celebration the following year, as the country continued to witnessed more bomb blast across the country. But the government has denied this as it claimed that the low key was in turn with the economic reality. Besides, President Jonathan in his defense of the low key celebration on Sunday, said it was to allow for elaborate celebration of the country's centenary celebration come 2014. In a nationwide broadcast to mark the country's 53rd Independence Anniversary on Tuesday, the Nigerian leader called Oct. 1, 1960, a great day for the citizens of the West Africa nation. He urged Nigerians to value freedom as something incredibly precious. The Nigerian leader assured the nation of committed and visionary leadership that would place Nigeria in its rightful position in the comity of nations. He expressed confidence that Nigeria will be stronger and united despite her challenges, adding that he was optimistic that the future was still bright for the nation in spite of the challenges facing it. Just like in 2012, activities marking the country's 53nd independence anniversary was expected to be restricted around the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Nigeria gained its independence in 1960 from the then British colonial government.