AS part of plans to add meaning to the yearlycelebration of Nigeria's independenceanniversary vis-a-vis fostering a detribalised and unbiased harmony among diverse ethnic affiliation in the six geo-political zones, The Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, has scheduled a day programmet tagged Green-White-Green Pre-independence day concert.The event, which will be the maiden edition, will host Nigerians at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja. The wife of the former Senate President and chairman of the event, Mrs Helen David Mark, will declare the concert open alongside the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, on Friday, September 30, 2011.Speaking in a chat with journalists at Planet 1 Hotel, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos State, recently, Chief Runsewe re-iterated on the need to re-strategise and also create a platform to promote unity, peace and progress through socio-cultural rebirth and genuine patriotism.'We are taking our national colour to the next level. It is our pride and identity as Nigerians, so we have to identify with it in any place we go and find ourselves.'In this regard, we are going to showcase our national colour, (Green-white-green), as a signature of reference at any where we stand as a nation.'However, Runsewe has promised to distribute over 2500 mini Nigeria flags aready ordered to all and sundry at the venue of the pre-independence concert.According to Runsewe, 'The move was strategic to inculcate in Nigerians the spirit of patriotism and also assure them of their security in the country. The first of its kind in the history of the corporation, the concert will also boost the nation's quest for unity among the citizenry.'Top musicians featuring at the independence anniversary are Sunny Nneji, Ayefele, D'Banj (the koko master), Sir Shina Peters, among others.Also, to add glamour to the celebration, the corporation will be giving consolation prizes to the first 51 people to arrive the venue and also dressed in a well designed green-white-green (national colours) attire, to the Nigeria at 51 Pre-independence Concert.'A raffle draw will also be one of the high points of the pre-independence concert, as the NTDC has already made arrangements for wonderful gifts for participants to take home.In addition there will be a dancing competition and the best dancers will also be given exceptional gifts, will other runners-up get consolation gifts too,' Runsewe added.Runsewe disclosed that the event will showcase 36 different dishes representing the best of each of states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).'This will be an avenue for participants to have a taste of Nigeria's delicacies and also see them on display, which may be new to some people.'The idea is for Nigerians to taste foods other than their local dishes, another way of fostering cross-culture unity.Meanwhile, the NTDC has said that there will be a visit to the motherless babies' home, the physically challenged and the sick at hospital in Abuja to identify and celebrate the anniversary with them.
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