C’River joins nation in low-key 65th Independence Commemoration

As Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary dawns today with solemnity and reflection, the Cross River State Government has aligned with the Federal Government’s directive to mark the occasion without the traditional parade or the fanfare usually associated with it.

Accordingly, what might have been a day of spectacle in the open arenas of the U.J Esuene Stadium has instead been transformed into a low-key moment.

Governor Bassey Edet Otu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Linus Obogo, described the day as sacred, a hallowed chapter in Nigeria’s national journey that calls her citizens not only to remembrance but also to renewal. According to him, the cancellation of the parade does not diminish the meaning of the celebration, but rather elevates it to a higher plane of sober reflection.

Governor Otu noted that at 65, Nigeria stands as a testament to the resilience of her people, their capacity to weather storms and rise from trials stronger and more determined. Governor Otu urged Cross Riverians, and indeed all Nigerians, to use the anniversary as an opportunity to look back at the path already trodden, draw strength from past victories, and chart a future anchored on unity, peace, and progress.

The governor emphasized that the true essence of independence is not measured by ceremonial parades, but by the unwavering spirit of a people who refuse to surrender to despair. “This is a moment,” he stressed, “to celebrate our resilience, to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, and to renew our collective vow to the ideals that keep us together as one nation under God.”

While acknowledging that the change in the day’s programme might disappoint some, Governor Otu expressed regret for any inconveniences caused by the alteration. He, however, reassured citizens that the spirit of the day remained undiminished, carrying the same grandeur and gravity, even in its modest observance.

In extending his warm felicitations, the governor called on Cross Riverians to embrace this moment not as a reduction of celebration, but as an invitation to elevate the meaning of independence in their daily lives. He prayed that the triumphs of Nigeria’s past would kindle the promise of a brighter future, where every citizen shares in the blessings of freedom, peace, and prosperity.

“As we mark this 65th Independence anniversary,” Governor Otu declared, “let us remember that the greatness of Nigeria does not lie in parades or pageantry, but in the steadfast spirit of her people, the unity that binds us, and the unquenchable hope that drives us forward. May this day renew our courage, our faith, and our shared dream of a nation destined for greatness.”