The truism that there are no permanent friends or foes in politics but permanent interests assumed a life of its own in the glittering ambience of the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, where President Goodluck Jonathan officially flagged off the year-long centenary celebrations of Nigeria as a nation state. In an atmosphere of conviviality, erstwhile sworn enemies embraced and, metaphorically speaking, shared drinks.
It was not the usual night of long knives when politicians take political hostilities to murderous heights but a night of brotherly love when all that matters is the nation, as the president hosted all the living past Heads of State and ex-presidents to a sumptuous dinner.
It was also a night of big surprises. Even since the news of the flag-off filtered into the press, and up until the Master of Ceremony mounted the podium that night, there was no inkling of any big surprise in the making. Then, the announcements began, first, with former Heads of State and ex-presidents. And the former men of power began to strut in.
The hall reverberated with applause and all heads turned towards the entrance as the MC mentioned the name of General Muhammadu Buhari. Those who could not see well quickly stood up while those who had access to the big television screens in the hall gazed at them just to confirm if what they heard was true. They didn’t have to wait long as General Buhari walked in, smiling.
There was a loud ovation when the light-skinned tall General walked into the hall and waved to his admirers. Did you say: why the loud ovation? Well, here you have your answer: Buhari is not a regular face in the Presidential Villa since the return of democracy in 1999. He rarely visits.
Buhari, who many prefer to refer to as a veteran presidential candidate, contested against former President Olusegun Obasanjo, late President Umar Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan. He lost in the three instances. In all the instances, he contested the results of the polls up to the Supreme Court. He lost too. Despite the verdicts, he believed the ensuing governments lacked legitimacy, and therefore, avoided them like a plague. Not only that, he never spared them the bitter side of his tongue anytime they goofed.
Little wonder, the was rocked with ovation as the former military Head of State and President Jonathan made their first public contact by lighting the centenary torch.ed the podium, hand-in-hand, to the admiration of eminent guests with many exclaiming loud: “This is a successful coup against Buhari to support Jonathan’s administration,” while others, with some cynical sense of humour, said it was a dress rehearsal of a possible hand-over ceremony from Jonathan to Buhari come 2015. .
Whatever it is, the colourful display of art works depicting the history, the people and achievements of the country from January 1, 1914, the date of the formal amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of the former British Colony to date, sort of vindicated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who came under fire from the National Assembly when he went to brief members. The lawmakers, senators and reps., wanted to know where the staggering sums voted for the celebrations would come from.
At the Senate, lawmakers sought clarification from Anyim that even though the event would be private sector-driven, it would not involve the National Assembly having to approve some funds. The highpoint of the briefing was the disclosure by Anyim that a world-class Centenary City would be built in Abuja. The House of Representatives was divided over the request by President Goodluck Jonathan that the lawmakers should approve the celebration. There was tension when the SGF reeled out the programme, which excluded the National Assembly.
But all that fizzled out at the kick-off of the centenary celebrations as guests, drawn from the political class, traditional institution, the clergy, women groups, entrepreneurs and the youth who represent the aspiration of the future, took in the beautiful ambience of the banquet hall. The decorations had traditional and historical themes like the colonial masters, masquerades, wood and bronze carvings from different parts of the country, even the people’s culinary culture were conspicuously displayed, resplendent in their native flavours..
The former Heads of State and Presidents, including General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, were all present at the flag-off dinner of the centenary celebrations billed to hold in January 2014. ?Obasanjo, an unrepentant critic of the Jonathan Administration, especially on the handling of terrorism and other security challenges facing the nation, presented the centenary theme: One Nigeria, Great Promise, enjoining Nigerians to love their country and speak positively about their leaders.
Obasanjo recalled his 2003 national broadcast where he asked: “If you cannot love Nigeria and be positive about it, and make contributions to its progress, then, I should ask you what sort of Nigerian are you?” He said every Nigerian, after staying together for 100 years, should remain focused in the quest for making their fatherland a “humane, just and progressive” nation..
Speaking in the same vein, Abubakar said Nigeria is in the league of countries like India, China, Egypt, Ethiopia and America for surviving 100 years and more of co-existence in spite daunting challenges. He urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the centenary celebrations to lay the foundation for a new nation..”There is every reason to celebrate in songs and dances,” he said. “One nation, indivisible Nigeria has come to stay.”
Abubakar, thereafter, presented a centenary theme song titled: This Land, celebrating one hundred years of Nigeria, which was subsequently performed by a team of notable Nigerian musicians led by Onyeka Onwenu..Gowon, who unveiled the centenary logo, described Nigeria as a nation of strong, peaceful and hard working people. He expressed hope in the future of the country..He described Nigeria as “a unique nation, a nation of diverse, strong and hard working people.”.He noted that not many nations could survive 100 years of cohesiveness in spite of the diverse nature of the nation and the several challenges she has faced..
Unveiling the centenary logo, the former Head of State declared: “The emblem symbolises a rallying point for the unity of the nation..The logo embodies the country’s values for faith and courage and symbolises unity.” He, then, prayed for Nigeria to experience peace and progress. .”May it be a reminder of our entity, unity and oneness of the nation which is not negotiable and serve as a symbol of peace, unity and prosperity.”.He later presented the logo to the president..
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal, launched the centenary web portal, www.nigeriacentenary.com.ng, while the Senate President, David Mark, launched the centenary lottery..Jonathan, Buhari, and 120-year-old Salisu Goubnor, from Zungeru in Niger State, who witnessed the 1914 amalgamation, as well as two children (male and female) representing the younger generation, joined in lighting the centenary torch..They were later joined by the Vice President Namadi Sambo, all former Heads of State, First Lady, Patience Jonathan and the Vice President’s wife, Amina Sambo for photographs.
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