Why centenary celebration is dear to Nigeria - FG

Ahead of  plans to mark Nigeria's 100 years, the Federal Government says it will deal with the challenges hampering the nation's progress.

Speaking at the unveiling of the official media partners  and brand ambassadors  of the Nigerian centenary project in Lagos,  the Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yugudu, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Ayim Pius,  while soliciting  for media support, said the centenary celebration is very dear to President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration,  the nation and the citizenry.

'What we are doing is for Nigerians to know that this is our project . It is not a project that belongs to the government alone. We are all Nigerians and we are happy we are 100 years old as a nation and it is a thing for us to celebrate. We believe there is enough room for all of us to participate in this celebration,'Yugudu stated.

''The president  has said over and over that the celebration is purely private sector driven. The media consultant has been appointed. His duty is to be telling Nigerians each of the celebration. We have lined up  a lot of activities for the celebration and this is just one of the most important aspect . We need the media, we are a friend to the media and we believe that jointly we can tell Nigerians what we are doing to celebrate our nation for turning 100 years'.

According to him, his  ministry was working hard to make sure that the nation's roads are motor able with  road markings. 'We want to ensure that there is remarkable improvement and quality of our roads so that if you are driving from Lagos to Maiduiguri, God willing, by the end of 2014, you would be driving on dual carriage way. We have started it and we would complete it within that period.

The media partners unveiled at the event include: The Vanguard, Guardian, Business day, Daily Trust  the Nigerian Tribune, Tell , Marketing Edge and the News magazine.

Others include NTA, AIT, Channels Television, Cool FM, Niger Info, Ray Power FM, Wazobia FM, Classic FM, The Beat FM, Radio Nigeria and Kennis Music.