I enjoyed better rest after scrapping Independence Parade, says Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lightheartedly remarked that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade gave him a rare chance to rest properly.

Speaking on Wednesday, October 1, the President revealed that without the usual early-morning parade, he was able to enjoy a good night’s sleep and a “nice breakfast.”

The Federal Government had earlier announced the cancellation of the parade in a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The Federal Government wishes to announce the cancellation of the Independence Anniversary parade, previously scheduled to mark the 65th Independence on Wednesday, 1st October. The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary,” the statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, read.

Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, Tinubu said he slept well after the parade’s cancellation.

The president said he had a pleasant evening at the inauguration of the renovated Centre funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.

The event, he said, broke what he called the monotony of the usual military parade on the independence day anniversary.

“I’m more than grateful for tonight. I enjoyed the evening.

“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything. By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,” he told the gathering.

Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 6:24 p.m for the reopening ceremony of the monument.

The President had in July 2024 renamed the edifice the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate.

At the unveiling, Tinubu was joined by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, H.E. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the host of the occasion, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Tinubu expressed his satisfaction to have renamed the centre after Soyinka who he described as one of the greatest assets of the world, Africa and Nigeria.

He said the literary icon has contributed greatly to nation building and freedom.

“So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,” Tinubu said.