Independence Day (Nigeria)

Independence Day (1 October 1960) is an official national holiday in Nigeria, celebrated on the first of October. It marks Nigeria's proclamation of independence from British rule on 1 October 1960. So for this reason, Nigeria celebrates its independence on 1 October every year.

Background

In 1914, the Southern Nigeria Protectorate was combined with the Northern Nigeria Protectorate to create the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, which has the borders of modern-day Nigeria. By the late 1950s, the call for independence of territories in Africa and the decline of the British Empire led to the country being granted independence on 1 October 1960 as the Federation of Nigeria.[1] Three years later, the constitution was amended and the country was declared the Federal Republic of Nigeria with Nnamdi Azikiwe, previously Governor-General, as the first President.[2]

Independence Day is an official national holiday in Nigeria, celebrated on the first of October. It marks Nigeria's proclamation of independence from British rule on 1 October 1960. The holiday is celebrated annually by the government of Nigeria. The festivities begin with the President's address to the people, which is broadcast on radio and television. Another integral part of the festivities is the military parade in Abuja, the parade of students and unions to the folk music and concerts of famous artists

Celebrations outside Nigeria

In New York, Nigeria’s Independence Day has been marked by celebrations in the streets since 1991. The celebrations in the U.S. are the largest celebrations outside of Nigeria, and usually attract around 75,000 people every year.[3][4]

See also

References
  1. Class, Ethnicity, and Democracy in Nigeria: The Failure of the First Republic, Larry Jay Diamond, Syracuse University Press, 1988, page 64
  2. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the First President of Nigeria, Dies at 91, New York Times, 14 May 1996
  3. "Nigerian Independence Day Parade holds Saturday in New York - Vanguard News". www.vanguardngr.com. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  4. "Nigerians in US hold Independence Day Parade on Saturday". Punch. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
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