The contingent of the National Troupe on Friday, thrilled President Muhammadu Buhari and guests to cultural dances and displays at Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day celebration in Abuja.
The troupe from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, entertained guests with dances from the Northern, Southern and Western regions of the country.
The cultures represented at the event are the Igbo, Fulani, Awange dance of the Tiv, Gbagyi dance, fishermen dance from the Ijaws and Efik among others.
While the Fulani dancers displayed the showing of strength by the men and feeding of the men by their women, the Ijaw dance showcased the paddling of canoe for fishing.
Read Also: Elite must ask themselves why Nigeria is more divided today – Utomi
A unique aspect of the display was the intermittent mixture of the dance with the parade of the armed forces brigade.
They provided shield for the dancers during the performance which symbolised the statutory function of the military to protect the country.
The armed forces also showed an excellent display of entertaining parade that elicited applause from the audience.
President Muhammadu Buhari arrived the Eagle Square at 10:11 am and proceeded to take the national salute after which he conducted the inspection of the parade on a special parade vehicle.
The parade comprised the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Nigerian Police.
Also on the parade are personnel of the Nigerian Customers Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Legion among other paramilitary agencies.
The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other groups were at the event.
President Buhari concluded the inspection of the parade accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Muhammed Usman.
There were colourful march pass and parade by the various services and the police in order of arrangement followed by the paramilitary agencies, the NLC, TUC and NYSC members.
The colour parade by the Army, Navy and Air Force was followed by Silent Drill by the Guards Brigade battalion.
The drill is a display of the dexterity and professionalism of the troops and their preparedness for battles like assembling of weapons.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, ministers, governors as well as former Vice President Namadi Sambo, graced the occasion.
Other dignitaries at the event are some members of the National Assembly and members of the diplomatic community. (NAN)