Dignitaries including President Muhammadu Buhari gathered at the Eagle Square in Abuja for the 62nd Independence Day Anniversary parade, with attendees including the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari; former President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The service chiefs and several diplomats were also in attendance as well as several ministers and Kassim Shettima, the running mate to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Bola Tinubu.
Buhari, accompanied by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, inspected the parade, his last in eight years since he assumed office in May 2015. Earlier, the President in his last Independence Day Anniversary broadcast message said he would leave a legacy of free and fair elections as Nigerians go to the polls next year to elect another set of political office holders for four years.
He also identified with the pains of millions of Nigerians, assuring them that their resilience and patience would not be in vain.
In his last Independence Day Anniversary address, the President said: “I share the pains Nigerians are going through and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.
The President further urged striking lecturers of public universities to call off their over seven-month-old strike and return to the classrooms.
