NIGERIA'S 51st independence anniversary was marked yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with a special presidential change of guards and signpost ceremony.It was the first time a presidential change of guards was held in place of a full parade to mark the nation's independence celebrations.Ordinarily, the change of guards' ceremony holds every Monday morning at the forecourts of the president's office.It is used to routinely ensure regimentation and that instructions given are carried out to the letter, with no excuses.It is also used to enforce the military regimentation of 'but me no but no but' and 'no excuses' in which all personnel are required to give no excuses for failure.Held at the forecourt of the president's office, the ceremony was conducted by 61 soldiers of the two battalions of the elite Presidential Guards Brigade ' 177 Battalion based in Keffi and the 7 Guards Battalion, Abuja.The arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, at 10:05am signaled the commencement of the formality.Two minutes earlier, the Quarter Guard at the official residence of the president had called the soldiers at attention, indicating the exit of the president from the residence.Jonathan then arrived at the Quarter Guard at the forecourt gate, moving to the podium where he received the general salute and the National Anthem was played.The officers and 61 soldiers of the battalions participating in in the handing and taking over ceremony had formed up at the forecourt.The Brigade of Guards Commander, Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, arrived, and mounted the podium to receive the general salute. Then, the colour party, comprising the national and regimental colours, matched in.Following was the arrival of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyin Petinrin; Chiefs of Army and Naval Staff, Lt.-Gen. Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika and Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim; and the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.With the Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police at his back, Petinrin mounted the podium as they received the general salute.Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon arrived; followed by former civilian President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who was escorted to his seat directly in front of the president's office.The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, who stood in for the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, arrived while the Senate President, David Mark, who took the general salute, followed a few minutes later.Then, Vice President Namadi Sambo came in, and customarily, the National Anthem was played to half.The Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police left their seats and took positions after the Quarter Guard at the forecourt gate.The actual ceremony started with the invocations (prayers) offered by Ayo Oritsejafor, President of CAN and the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Sheik Usman Muhammad.The presidential change of guards involved foot and arms drill, rhythmic and calculated steps and checking of weapons to ensure they were clean and that rounds of arms were not left in them. Their uniforms were checked to ensure there were no shoddy turnouts.After the ceremony, President Jonathan signed the anniversary register. Then, accompanied by his wife, Patience, Vice President Namadi Sambo and his wife, Amina, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Dahiru Musdapher, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former President Shehu Shagari, Jonathan cut the anniversary cake.He later released the pigeons signaling peace.Members of the National Assembly, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and organised private sector and high profile politicians witnessed the ceremony.
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