By Cancelling Independence Day Parade, I Slept Well and Had a Nice Breakfast — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade allowed him to rest well and enjoy a “nice breakfast” on Wednesday.

The Federal Government had earlier announced the cancellation of the parade, which was scheduled for October 1, through a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The statement emphasized that the decision did not diminish the significance of the milestone anniversary.

Speaking at the reopening of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, Tinubu described the evening as a welcome break from the usual military celebrations. Funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, the event marked the unveiling of the cultural landmark renamed in honour of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka in July 2024.

“I’m more than grateful for tonight. I enjoyed the evening,” Tinubu said. “Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything. By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent.”

The President arrived at the ceremony around 6:24 p.m. and was joined by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, and Professor Wole Soyinka.

Tinubu praised Soyinka as a global and national treasure whose contributions to literature and nation-building are invaluable. “It couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,” he said.