By Chesa Chesa
With a declaration of Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and most prosperous black nation in the world, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday unveiled the theme and logo for the commemorative activities to celebrate Nigeria’s 60 years of independence.
The logo is ’60’ boldly written in green and white with diamond crystals inside the zero, with a map of Nigeria in the background. The theme of the diamond celebration is – TOGETHER.
The President formally unveiled the logo before the commencement of the e-Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Buhari, with some cabinet members joining online.
Speaking on the logo, Buhari explained that “the selected option depicts our togetherness, a country of over 200 million people whose natural talent, grit and passion glitter like the precious DIAMOND we are.
”This, to me, is a special appreciation to our most precious asset – our people. Everywhere you go, Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in academia, business, innovation, music, movie, entertainment, fashion and culture.
”Furthermore, the neatly encrusted Diamond on the Nigerian Map symbolizes our age of treasure, the worth of the Nigerian people with our sparkle to the admiration of the world.
‘‘In the same vein, the pear green and dark green colours should respectively remind us of our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as the abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land.
‘‘All these properties make us unarguably the most prosperous black nation in the world and Africa’s largest economy.’’
On the theme of TOGETHER, Buhari recounted that the country’s founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue came together to fight for Nigeria’s independence.
‘‘This shall be a befitting tribute to the struggles of our heroes past,’’ he said.
He noted that the scourge of Covid-19 has forced a low-key celebration despite the many reasons that would ordinarily all for rolling out the drums.
”The task history has saddled me with today is to proclaim a theme that will keep us united, help us forge ahead and unveil a logo that will form the critical pillars which our 11-month modest commemorative activities would rest on.
”Celebrating 60 years of independence really calls for pomp, but the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced all nations in the world to think and act differently, has also foisted on us the imperative of a low-keyed celebration.
”Operating within the limitations placed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we created an internet challenge for Nigerians to make a choice from a set of four pre-selected logos that would appropriately define the theme.
”Of these four options, Nigerians from all walks of life participated in making a choice and I am happy to let you know that the logo I would be unveiling is a product of choice from the Nigerian people,” he stated.
