Sanwo–Olu, Hamzat, Obasa late to Independence Day parade in Lagos

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, were yet to arrive at the 66th National Independence Day parade in Lagos as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

The parade is being held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, with schoolchildren, religious and traditional leaders, permanent secretaries and other participants already present at the venue.

According to the programme schedule, the governor was expected to arrive at 9:55 a.m., while Hamzat and Obasa were scheduled to arrive at 9:50 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., respectively.

However, none of the three principal state officials had arrived at the venue as of 10:30 a.m., more than 30 minutes after the governor’s scheduled arrival time.

The Head of Service, Olamide Shuaheeb Agoro, and several permanent secretaries were among senior government officials already at the arena for the ceremony.

Other participants, including schoolchildren and community representatives, also remained at the venue awaiting the commencement of the main activities.

Western Post observed that preparations were still ongoing at the arena as some workers were erecting decorations and testing equipment despite the scheduled start of the event.

The 66th Independence Day parade is part of activities marking Nigeria’s independence anniversary, with participants expected to take part in the commemorative ceremony at the Onikan venue.