Jonathan Sets up 19-member Planning Committee For Centenary Celebrations

ABUJA, January 16, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a 19-member Planning Committee for Nigeria’s centenary celebrations.

The committee is to be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pious Anyim.

The President also requested for a convenient date for the Senate to receive full briefing on the proposed programme for the celebration so that the lawmakers could make an input.

In a letter to the Senate, which was read at the Senate plenary, Wednesday, Jonathan disclosed that the committee has articulated a proposed framework for the celebrations, which has already been presented to the Federal Executive Council and also to the State Governors at the National Economic Council for their inputs.

His letter read in part; “You may wish to recall that on the 1st of January, 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were formally amalgamated into one country- establishing modern day Nigeria. This implies that the 1st of January, 2014 marks 100 years of our union as a nation.

"Notwithstanding our challenges, it is considered that this is a significant anniversary deserving of celebration by the citizens and government of Nigeria.

“It is against this background that I constituted a 19-member planning committee for the centenary celebrations, under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“The purpose of this letter is to request for a convenient date for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to receive a full briefing on the proposed programme for the centenary celebrations, so that your input will also be accommodated in the framework.”