President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday led dignitaries, including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, senior government officials and members of the diplomatic community to witness his last Independence Day parade in Abuja.
Also in attendance were the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari; former President Goodluck Jonathan; wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Service Chiefs, among others.
The event, which held at the Eagle Square, was part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary, and featured a colourful military parade.
President Buhari, on arrival, was received by the Commander of the elite Guards Brigade, Brig Gen Mohammed Takuti Usman.
Thereafter, he proceeded to inspect the parade, his last in eight years since he assumed office in May 2015.
Specifically, the parade formation was a combined guard of honour mounted by the officers and men of the Guards Brigade complemented by a detachment, each, drawn from the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Air force, as well as the Nigeria Police respectively.
Also on the parade were paramilitary officers and men of the Nigeria Custom Service, Immigration, Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Nigeria Legion.
Major highlights at the colourful event was a slow and quick march past by personnel of the various security services, including students of the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria, aerial display by Nigeria Air Force fighter aircraft, traditional dances by various troupes depicting the cultural diversity of the Nigerian people.
