JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu arrives at 10:53 a.m. as Lagos Independence Day parade begins
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu arrived at the 66th National Independence Day parade at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, at 10:53 a.m. Thursday, marking the commencement of the event.
Sanwo-Olu was welcomed at the venue alongside Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, who had arrived earlier at 10:32 a.m. and observed the welcome parade.
The governor was received with a ceremonial parade involving the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, Nigerian Legion and other participating parastatals.
The national anthem was subsequently performed before Sanwo-Olu inspected the parade as part of the opening ceremony.
The governor was then ushered to the main event through a ceremonial parade as officials and other participants looked on.
The ceremony brought together schoolchildren, religious and traditional leaders, permanent secretaries and other government officials at the arena.
The Head of Service, Olamide Shuaheeb Agoro, and several permanent secretaries were among senior government officials who had arrived before the governor.
The 66th Independence Day parade is being held as part of activities marking Nigeria’s independence anniversary, with the arrival of the governor and commencement of the ceremonial proceedings setting the event in motion.
