Federal Government has assured Nigerians of maximum security at the fifty-eighth Independence celebration, scheduled to hold from September twenty-five to October one.

According to the government, the nation’s freedom did not come on a platter of gold, hence the need for Nigerians to remind themselves that they had come a long way in spite of the diverse challenges.

Chairman, Twenty-Eighteen Independence Day Central Organising Committee, Gabriel Aduda, who gave the assurance at a news briefing in Abuja, said government’s plan was to rekindle Nigeria’s past glories at independence.

Aduda, Permanent Secretary, office of the secretary to the Government of the federation, said the event which would commence with the traditional media broadcast at seven in the morning would end with a Dinner and Gala Night at the State House Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa.

He said all the military and paramilitary were part of the planning committee and were working to ensure there was no security breach in the course of the celebration.

“Let us not focus on the negative issues in the country, it is sad people may have lost their lives due to insecurity, but the fact that we are still united in Nigeria should be appreciated,’’ he said.

He said the nation’s freedom did not come on a platter of gold and there was need for Nigerians to remind themselves that they had come a long way in spite of the diverse challenges.

According to him, Nigeria is not where it wants to be yet but she is certainly not where she began, considerable progresses have been made.

He said it had been several years since Nigeria had a full blown traditional independence celebration, adding “the labours of our heroes past should no longer be downplayed”.

Aduda outlined the schedule of a weeklong activity to ensure a holistic participation of Nigerians in the celebrations.

He listed photo exhibition on our National History with the theme: “Footprints of our Political Leaders, holding Tuesday, Sept. 25 to Thursday, Sept. 27.

He said on Friday, Sept. 28, there will be a Juma‘at prayer at the National Mosque, followed by a Night of Nigerian Culture featuring drama, comedy, fashion, among others at the International Conference Centre.

Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, he added, would host children from various Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Harrows Park, Wuse II, Abuja, on Saturday, Sept. 29.

“The Independence Interdenominational Church Service will take place at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Sunday, Sept. 30.

“On Monday, Oct. 1 there will be a media broadcast followed by independence parade at Eagles Square by Para-military and Military, labour unions and Air Display by Air-force fighter jets over the skies.’’

According to him, there will also be a dinner/gala night at the State House Banquet Hall to close the celebration.

The 2010 Independence Day Bombing led to the low key celebration of Nigeria’s Independence in the past eight years.