AWKA — Primary and secondary school, military, paramilitary and civil society organisations did not attend the usual ceremonies to mark Nigeria’s 61 independence today in Awka.
The correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who visited Dr. Alex Square, Awka venue for government functions reports that canopies, seats and public address system were arranged in the place as early as 10am.
NAN further reports that a handful of armed policemen with their vehicles were seen in and around the place with less than 10 civilians possibly in-charge of arranging the venue.
But up to 1.20pm, no school, military, paramilitary, or civil society organisations that usually perform ceremonial march past came to the place.
However, the team that brought the public address system began to dismantle the equipment about 1.25pm suggesting that they received signal that the event might not hold.
One of the ladies dismantling the equipment simply told NAN, “oga is like people will not come and we are arranging our things”, she said.
Earlier, Gov. Willie Obiano of the state had in a statement to mark the nation’s 61 independence called on Anambra people to be more patriotic and help in tackling incidences of insecurity.
Chief Obiano said that the state and nation were in very critical period of her evolution as a free society.
“Almost every day, we witness events that test our patience as members of a sane society and our resolve as those charged with the responsibility of providing leadership to our people.
” We are confronted by the sight of evil and the brazen display of callousness that is alien to our people.
“We see our brothers and sister bleed to death from wounds inflicted by their fellow compatriots. And we are forced to ask ourselves, “who is the enemy?”, he questioned.
He noted that Nigeria’s Independence was a long-drawn battle; fought with so much brain and brawn.
“Sadly, 61 years after, Nigeria is enmeshed in a different kind of battle…it is not a battle with external aggressors but a battle with enemies within”, he said
Obiano said with 37 days aware from the November 6 date for Anambra governorship election, strange desperation among the political class-leading to acts that are not only inimical to the regime of peace, but a threat to democracy.
He warned those behind the violent acts, adding that the state government would resist the act being created for the impression of chaos in Anambra.
“The ploy by desperate political leaders is to wet the ground and provide a perfect alibi for electoral malpractices. We are aware of this plot, and we shall resist it with all our might”, he said.
When contacted, Mr. C Don Adinuba, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment told NAN that he just returned from official duty outside the state.
“I must frankly tell you that I do not know if usually activities for the independence would hold because I am just returning from a trip outside the state”, he said.
Mrs. Ngozika Nwosu, a resident of Awka told NAN that she did not aware her children to go out because of news that IPOB members told people in the area not to come.
“As you can notice, people did not open their shops and vehicles are scarely seen on the road, asking ones children to go out would be high-risk decision”, she said.
NAN further reports that business owners did not open shops, while commercial vehicles were not on the roads within Awka township.
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