Independence Day is a national holiday in Nigeria, and it’s celebrated on October 1st every year. The day is a celebration of Nigeria’s independence from British rule, which was established on October 1st 1960. Nigeria’s independence was established under the rule of General Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who later became the country’s first president.
Nigerian Independence Day is celebrated with plenty of parades, bands, parties, food and gatherings of friends and family alike.
The day usually starts with an address from the President in the morning, which officially starts the day of celebrations. After this, there’s a ceremonial raising of the Nigerian flag, and the cutting of an Independence cake which usually displays the flag’s colours or coat of arms. There’s also an official parade, with lots of bands, music, imagery, dancing and a processional changing of the guard. After this, there’s usually a performance of songs and dances to represent the many different ethnic groups that make up Nigeria, ensuring everyone is represented at the parade. Several citizens put on green and white (the national colours of Nigeria) attire or traditional attire on that day to show their patriotic nature and love for the nation.
The students of SHOMS INT’L SCHOOLS were not left out of the celebration, the secondary school students were dressed in their green and white attire, while the primary school pupils were dressed in their traditional attire to celebrate this great day. The teachers took their time to explain the history of Nigerian Independence Day and the responsibility of every student as a citizen to keep contributing to the growth of our nation Nigeria, so that the efforts of our leaders in getting freedom for us will not be in vain.
