Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has said the 2023 Independence Day will be marked in low-key fashion, but failed to adduce reasons for the decision.

Addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, in Abuja, the SGF said: “Independence Day is a very historic event for any country and we in Nigeria are no exception. We are fully prepared for this year’s celebration; but for obvious reasons, it is going to be low-keyed. There will be no room for a fantastic jamboree at the Eagle Square and other locations.”

Akume admonished Nigerians to use the Independence Day to reflect deeply on the unity of the country and the journey ahead.

He assured citizens that better days lie ahead for the country under President Bola Tinubu.

“It is a time of reflection for us as a people and the journey forward for the nation. We wish Nigerians the best of luck and assure them that better days are coming and pretty soon too,” he added.

On the proposed strike by organised labour, Akume expressed optimism that issues concerning the strike would be addressed amicably.

He, therefore, called on organised labour to be patient with the government to find a solution to its demands.

“Labour leaders are very patriotic Nigerians and we want to believe, correctly, that nobody would want to have a strike at this time of our history because it is neither in the interest of the workers nor anybody.

“This government is very determined to raise the standard of living of Nigerian workers and to create prosperity for all. That is not something that can be done overnight. So, it will be inappropriate to begin to judge the government on the basis of the few months that it has spent in office,” Akume stated.