Garba Mohammed
Across Nigeria, the countdown to October 1 has taken on a deeper meaning this year. The Federal Government has declared the day a public holiday as the nation marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, a milestone that reminds citizens of the journey since 1960.
The announcement came on Monday from the Ministry of Interior. In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, extended warm congratulations to Nigerians at home and abroad. His message was one of unity, resilience, and hope — the very qualities, he said, that have carried the country through six and a half decades of independence.
Tunji-Ojo urged citizens to remain steadfast in their belief in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a national rebirth plan built on economic transformation and collective prosperity. He expressed confidence that with cooperation and commitment, Nigeria would continue to grow stronger in peace and development.
As preparations for the day gather momentum, the theme chosen for this year’s commemoration — “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation” — resonates across communities. Already, prayers have been held in mosques and churches, setting the tone for a celebration that is as spiritual as it is patriotic.
For many Nigerians, the declaration of the holiday is more than an official announcement; it is an invitation to reflect on the struggles, the triumphs, and the enduring hope that has defined the nation’s journey since the Union Jack was lowered in 1960.
This October 1, streets will once again be draped in green and white, children will wave flags with pride, and millions will pause to remember that Nigeria’s story, at 65 years, is still being written — and that the call for unity remains louder than ever.