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In Pictures: The N70m colourful independence parade in Abuja

Enjoying this story? Read the full magazine — archive back to 1993.

Here are photographs of the low key but colourful ceremony in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved N70m for the event, in contrast with past trends where billions of Naira was spent.
Photographs by Sesco Photography.

VP Osinbajo arrives to the State House Pavilion
VP Osinbajo arrives to the State House Pavilion

Osinbajo greets former head of interim government, Chief Ernest Shonekan
Osinbajo greets former head of interim government, Chief Ernest Shonekan

Osinbajo and speaker Yakubu Dogara
Osinbajo and speaker Yakubu Dogara

President Buhari arrives
President Buhari arrives

Buhari inspects the Guard of Honour
Buhari inspects the Guard of Honour

Service chiefs wait for their Commander-in-Chief
Service chiefs wait for their Commander-in-Chief

Service chiefs salute Buhari
Service chiefs salute Buhari

Buhari greets service chiefs
Buhari greets service chiefs

Buhari greets service chiefs
Buhari greets service chiefs

President Buhari mounts the podium
President Buhari mounts the podium

A soldier
A soldier

Soldiers get ready for the parade
Soldiers get ready for the parade

Buhari greets his VP
Buhari greets his VP

Arise o compatriots
Arise o compatriots

Buhari signed independence register
Buhari signed independence register

Excitement over the anniversary greeting card
Excitement over the anniversary greeting card

Buhari throws a joke that makes Senate President BUKOLA SARAKI break out in a smile
Buhari throws a joke that makes Senate President BUKOLA SARAKI break out in a smile

Time to release the balloons
Time to release the balloons

And the pigeons
And the pigeons

The cutting of anniversary cake. Happy birthday Nigeria
The cutting of anniversary cake. Happy birthday Nigeria

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