The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the 65th Independence Day celebration will be marked with a modest, low-key series of events. This was revealed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a Pre-Independence World Press Conference held in Abuja on Monday. He explained that the theme for this year’s celebration is “All Hands on Deck”, which reflects the need for unity, cooperation, and collective responsibility among citizens and leaders alike.

Idris noted that the commemoration began with a Jumat prayer on Friday, followed by a Christian thanksgiving service on Sunday. In addition to these religious observances, several key activities are planned, including the unveiling of the National Value Charter and a National Students’ Debate, which aims to engage young Nigerians in meaningful discourse on national development and citizenship.

A central highlight of this year’s celebration is the launch of the National Value Charter, developed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA). This framework is designed to instill a sense of patriotism and responsible citizenship among Nigerians by clearly articulating both governmental commitments and civic duties. The charter is divided into two key components: the “Nigerian Promise”, which represents the government’s pledge to uphold values such as democracy, equality, freedom, meritocracy, and inclusiveness; and the “Citizens’ Commitment”, which outlines expected behaviors from citizens, including accountability, discipline, leadership, tolerance, and environmental consciousness.

To effectively promote these values, the NOA plans to roll out sensitization campaigns in communities, work with grassroots stakeholders, and utilize digital platforms. The overall goal is to create a more cohesive, responsible, and value-oriented society.