Two of Nigeria’s former heads of state, General Yakubu Gowon and President Goodluck Jonathan joined President Muhammadu Buhari in the celebration of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday. Also in attendance was former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the incumbent First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

The top brass of the Buhari administration and the National Assembly were all in attendance. They included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The ceremony was bound to take a lot of Nigerians by surprise. Far from the Federal Government’s earlier announcement that it would be low-keyed, it turned out to be a most colourful event.

President Buhari himself entered the venue with the pomp of heraldry befitting of a head of state. What with the elaborate convoy of cars and sport utility vehicles that accompanied him! On arrival, he mounted a ceremonial open-roof jeep to inspect the colourful parade staged by officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The Nigerian military gave a good account of themselves by staging a most colourful parade which was spiced with very creative sequential performances. There was also a session of very masterful acrobatic displays.

The Nigerian Airforce thrilled the audience with their aerial performance with some of their combat aircraft. In one of the displays, two Agusta helicopters hovered over the Eagle Square with one of them flying the emblem, “Celebrating Nigeria At 60”.

Another aerial display had three Alpha jets flying in 33 formation. The third display was by three L39ZAs which spewed out the national colours of Nigeria, marking the air above with the Green White Green.

Airforce displays aside, from the Eagle Square, one could see the inscription, “Nigeria At 60” hoisted on the symbolic Aso Rock of Abuja nearly 4,000ft above sea level.

The  ceremony climaxed with a 21-gun salute fired by  men of the Nigerian Army and ended with the President signing the Commemorative Independence Anniversary Register. For the ceremonial signing, Buhari was joined by all the top brass of the government, President Jonathan and his wife as well as General Gowon.

So, even with COVID-19 restrictions–Buhari and all the dignitaries wore face masks throughout–the government’s celebration of Nigeria’s Diamond Jubilee reflected its importance and significance.