By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that cancelling the traditional military parade for the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary allowed him the luxury of sleeping.
Speaking at the star-studded unveiling of the newly renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, once the iconic National Arts Theatre, Tinubu said the cancellation of the military parade also allowed him to enjoy a “nice breakfast” on Wednesday.
The president also added he had a pleasant evening at the inauguration of the renovated Centre funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.
The event, he said, broke what he called the monotony of the usual military parade on the anniversary of Independence Day.
“I’m more than grateful for tonight. I enjoyed the evening.
“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,” he told the gathering.
Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 6:24 p.m. for the reopening ceremony of the monument.
Recall that the President had, in July 2024, renamed the edifice the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate.
At the unveiling, Tinubu was joined by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, H.E. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the host of the occasion, Professor Wole Soyinka.
In his address, Tinubu expressed his satisfaction at having renamed the centre after Soyinka, whom he described as one of the greatest assets of the world, Africa, and Nigeria.
He said: “So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre.”
