President Goodluck Jonathan and five former Presidents and Heads of State last night in Abuja flagged off the nation's centenary anniversary celebration scheduled to climax on January 1, 2014.

January 1, 2014, would mark a century wen the British colonial administration amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates to create the modern Nigerian nation.

Former military Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Maj. General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) and General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd) as well as former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo graced the occasion held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, his Deputy Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Speakerof the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, his Deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, also attended the event.

State governors, ministers, presidential aides, captains of Industry, members of the diplomatic corps were also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, the president said the amalgamation of 1914 was not a mistake but an act of God.

He said the amalgamation created a unique entity of the globe called Nigeria; a beautiful country richly blessed and which has turned out innovative people across the world.

The president said that beyond the endowed natural resources, Nigeria is blessed with a unique collection of people specially created by God.

He noted that the “one Nigeria consciousness” which has kept the nation together must be safeguarded, adding that it was a uniquely act of God that the country had survived a civil war and several other daunting challenges.

“The unity of Nigeria is indivisible and non-negotiable, we must remain the forward looking people that we are.

“I see a united, powerful and prosperous nation that will make the generation yet unborn very proud. Arise, we shall and prosper we will,” he said.

The president, Buhari, a 120 year-old from Zungeru in Niger State, who witnessed the 1914 amalgamation and two children,male and female representing the younger generation, lit the centenary torch.

In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, said in line with the directive of the president, the celebration would involve all Nigerians and its sponsorship would be wholly private sector driven.

He said he was amazed at the response of Nigerians in support of the celebration to make it strong, colourful and fascinating.
Anyim said the centenary celebration would be used to replace pessimisn with optimism to make the country rise above its challenges, disclosing that the celebration would generate over 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Gowon described Nigeria as “a unique nation, a nation of diverse, strong and hard working people.”

He noted that not many nations could survive 100 years of cohesiveness in-spiteof the diverse nature of the nation and several challenges Nigeria has faced.

Unveiling the centenary logo, he declared: “May the emblem symbolise a rallying point for the unity of the nation.

“May it be a reminder of our, entity, unity and oneness of the nation which in not negotiable and serve as a symbol of peace, unity and prosperity.”

Obasanjo recalled his 2003 national broadcast where he asked, “If you cannot love Nigeria and be positive about it and make contributions to its progress, then I should ask you what sort of Nigerian are you?”

He advised every Nigerian that after 100 years of staying together, they should remain focused in the quest for making Nigeria a “humane, just and progressive” nation.

Obasanjo after the remarks presented the centenary theme: “one Nigeria, Great Promise”.

Speaking in same vein, Abubakar said Nigeria was in the league of countries such as India, China, Egypt, Ethiopia and Amenia having survived 100 years and more of coexistence, inspite of the daunting challenges.

He said the nation should use the opportunity of the centenary celebrations to lay the foundation of a new nation.

“There is every reason to celebrate in song and dance. One nation, indivisible Nigeria has come to stay,” he said.

Abubakar thereafter presented the centenary theme song titled: “This Land, Celebrating One Hundred Years of Nigeria” which was subsequently performed by a theme of notable Nigerian musicians led by Onyeka Onwenu


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-nigeria-s-amalgamation-was-an-act-of-god/138445/

Good to hear this though; Buhari and GEJ. But Mr. President how many Nigerians are in support of the centenary celebration? Is that what we need right now, considering the growing differences and mistrust among the various religious, ethnic and tribal groups in Nigeria? This celebration is another avenue to squander public funds. The best centenary gift would be to have a genuine National Conference where our differences could be sorted out.

They speak with one voice in squander-mania.
That is the end all of them are fighting for.
These men are crocodiles who eat their own eggs.
They will come together to have a fair share of the centenary booty.
A cursed generation who not think there will be a tomorrow.
May they live long to reap the fruit of their profligacy.

take dat: Good to hear this though; Buhari and GEJ. But Mr. President how many Nigerians are in support of the centenary celebration? Is that what we need right now, considering the growing differences and mistrust among the various religious, ethnic and tribal groups in Nigeria? This celebration is another avenue to squander public funds. The best centenary gift would be to have a genuine National Conference where our differences could be sorted out.

If what's stated below is true, then no big wahala:

its sponsorship would be wholly private sector driven

However, just like our yearly independence celebration, the centenary celebration in my opinion is meaningless. As a Nation we are still very far behind when compared even to other African Nations..

It's like a man Celebrating his 50th Birth-day when he still lives with his parents, is still single and jobless.. Being alive is not what should be celebrated. We should celebrate Achievements..

So My Question is;

WHAT HAS NIGERIA AS A NATION ACHIEVED IN IT'S 100 YEARS OF EXISTENCE??

take dat: This celebration is another avenue to squander public funds

.

Methink it'll be private sector bankrolled and no public fund will be divested into it according to Pius Anyim.

take dat: The best centenary gift would be to have a genuine National Conference where our differences could be sorted out.

I strongly have my reservations towards the above recommendation as a way out, there's great mistrusts among various stake holders in the Nigerian project, deep-seated primordial and ethnic sentiments has been ingrained into our consciousness, decisions on every aspect of our national lives is always viewed with suspicion.

I make bold to tell you that with our orientations and idiosyncrasies, a national conference or whatstsoever will only end in a shouting row, that is if it will not degenerate into fisticuffs.

The current structure may seems flawed but its not the problem, the problem is the actors (Nigerians), especially with the present crops. To truly get a mental picture of what I'm saying, organized a mock national conference on Nairaland political section.

@Garri x7 and @Max, and you guys wholeheartedly believe it will solely be private sector driven because a government official said so? I like your optimism.

@Max, a beautiful structure built on weak foundation can only be managed for a while, it will eventually collapse. that is supposedly if we get the right people in government as you prescribed but as it is right now with these morally deficient folks, its a case of weak foundation and a weaker structure.

Nigerians need to sit down and talk, now or in the future otherwise Nigeria will eventually collapse!

Buhari as no problem wit GEJ. His only problem is wit corruption and bad leadership. Naijeriya sai buhari!

I know for a fact that it is private sector driven. Should there be a celebration of the centenary? I say yes as long as taxpayers money is not wholly involved. Whether we like it or not Nigeria is still an existing entity and the Government has a duty to at least commemorate the event. Should there be a larger and serious discussion on the national question? I also say absolutely yes. The other issue is that if the Government chose not to commemorate the event, there are those who would complain, long live democracy. The plurality of views is what its all about.