The federal government has said that it will declare May 29 and June 12, 2019 as public holidays so as to mark the presidential inauguration and Democracy Day celebrations.
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who addressed a press conference in Abuja yesterday, also disclosed that while the Presidential Inauguration would be a low-key affair, June 12 (Democracy Day) would be eventful as prominent personalities as well as world leaders would grace the occasion
He said: “The Federal Executive Council decided, at its meeting on Wednesday, May 8th 2019, to have a low-key presidential inauguration on May 29th, and then defer the celebration that comes
with it to the June 12 Democracy Day.
“Since the first observance of June 12 as Democracy Day falls in an election year, and as a measure to sustain June 12 as Democracy Day, the celebration of the inauguration and the advancement of democracy in the country will now take place on June 12,” the minister added.
Giving the details of the two events, the minister said the activities lined up for the May 29 Presidential Inauguration officially kicked off on May 20th, with this press conference.
According to him, the press conference would be followed by a three-day National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit at the International Conference Centre (ICC) here in Abuja on May 21.
“The Federal Executive Council Valedictory Session will be held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, May 22nd; a Special Jumat Lecture and prayer will be held on Friday May 24th at the National Mosque.
“The First Lady’s interaction with women is slated for the Old Chamber at the State House on Saturday May 25th while a special Interdenominational Church Service is slated for Sunday May 26th at the National Christian Centre.
“On Monday, May 27th, Mr. President will give a Children;s Day broadcast, to be followed later in the day by a Children’s Variety Party. The swearing in of the President and the Vice President is slated for Wednesday, May 29th at the Eagle Square, to be followed by a State Banquet at the State House in the evening of the same day.”
On the Democracy Day celebration, the minister pointed out that the event would be kicked off on Friday, June 7th with a Historical Exhibition in Arts, Pictures and Immersive Environment and run through June 12th.“The event is slated to hold at the ICC. It will be followed on Sunday, June 9th by a Youth Concert, Creative Industry and Entertainment Night also at the ICC.
“On Monday, June 10th, there will be a Secondary Schools Exhibition/Panel Discussion at the ICC, and Tuesday, June 11th will feature three events: the PMB Oratorical Contest at the ICC, an Anti-corruption Summit at the Transcorp Hilton and a First Lady’s
Commissioning Programme in Yola, Adamawa.
“Wednesday, June 12th will start off with a parade at the Eagle Square, and the Democracy Day programme will wrap up with a Dinner and Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre, Mohammed added.
