Abuja - The Federal Government has unveiled plans to mark 100 years of Nigeria's existence as a nation.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, unveiled the programme on Monday in Lagos at a Private Sector Stakeholders Engagemement Forum on the Centenary Project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Jan. 1, 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were
formally amalgamated into one country.
Jan. 1, 2014 marks 100 years of Nigeria’s union as a nation.
Anyim said the celebration would begin on Jan. 19 and flagged off by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said that a presidential dinner would be held to flag-off the centenary celebration and that Jonathan would light the centenary touch and unveil the centenary logo.
Anyim said that Jonathan would also launch the centenary official portal, present the centenary documentary part one (Nigeria's History) and programme of events.
``The president will also flag off the 100 centenary projects initiatives as well as introduce the company that won the exclusive right to the centenary project,” he said.
Anyim said that the celebration which would run from February, 2013 to October, 2014 would feature various events.
He said the 36 states of the federation would be given six months within the period to mark the celebration.
The SFG said that a centenary city would be built on Airport Road in Abuja.
According to him, the city which will be private-sector driven, will occupy more than 1, 000 hectares of land.
Anyim said the city would have a five-year development cycle and would accommodate 100, 000 residents.
He said that the centenary project was proposed to be a private sector driven initiative, anchored on enduring history project, the commemorative events and the history and heritage programme.
Dr John Isemede, Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture
(NACCIMA), said that the private sector would ensure the success of the centenary project.
He thanked the SFG for briefing the organised private sector on its plans, assuring that the sector would reciprocate the government's gesture.
NAN