60 outstanding Nigerians to be honoured at Nigeria’s 60th anniversary celebration

A group identified as Project60@60 has revealed plans to honour 60 outstanding Nigerians during the forthcoming 60th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria as a nation.

The group announced its plans during a press conference on Wednesday, September 23 in Abuja with the theme: Unveiling the 60 Eminent Nation-Builders @ 60.

Mr Balami Lazarus, one of the leaders of the group at the briefing noted that:

“Diamond Jubilee is a milestone that is widely celebrated and like any country getting up to sixty after independence, Nigeria has had her ups and downs and still standing tall.

“Nigeria has survived a lot and part of the challenges we have survived as a nation is the prophetic projection of disintegration and, it’s with great joy that we have witnessed the passing of this so-called prophecy. We have remained united as a country, 60 and still standing.

“The Nation Builders at 60 is a special publication which is aimed at celebrating outstanding individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavours and contributed immensely to the Nigerian project.

“These individuals share a common bond with Nigeria by their birth in 1960, the year Nigeria gained independence from the British colonial rule. It is also aimed at educating Nigerians about the rich and diverse cultures and experiences of the various people in Nigeria.

“The objective is to understand one another so that we can live together peacefully as a country. The publication will help to promote mutual understanding, foster inter-group harmony and tolerance, advance national cohesion and integration, and encourage peaceful co-existence as well as inspire the younger generation.”

Legit.ng reports that the shortlisted 60 Nigerians to be featured in Project 6060 compendium will have distinguished themselves through diligence, hard work, and patriotism to their fatherland and most importantly, contributed immensely to national development.

“It should be noted that these set of Nigerians will have witnessed and survived the Civil War and through perseverance, thrived and grew along with Nigeria.”

Among those who would be honoured by the group are late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, President of the African Development Bank; Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Professor Charles Soludo, media entrepreneur; Dele Momodu and musician, Bright Chimezie.

Also on the list is the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Nuhu Ribadu, presidential spokesman; Mallam Garba Shehu, Chief of Army Staff; Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai and Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Musiliu Obanikoro among others.

Meanwhile, a group of elders under the aegis of Patriotic Elders Council (PEC) on Tuesday, September 22, said that President Muhammadu Buhari has recorded more landmark on the issues of governance in Nigeria than former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The group led by Alhaji Muhammadu Ari Gwaska and Chief Simon Shango said President Buhari’s achievements on security surpass those recorded by his predecessors.

In a communique released on Tuesday, September 22, the group described Obasanjo’s comments describing Nigeria as a failed state as a “hoax.”