Adamawa Marks Nigeria @65 with Parade and Prisoner Pardon

By Samuel Ganwaja

The city of Yola came alive on Wednesday as Adamawa State joined the rest of the country to celebrate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary with a colorful parade, patriotic reflections, and the gubernatorial pardon of six inmates.

The event, held at Mahmud Ribadu Square, drew in a large crowd of residents, government officials, and traditional rulers who watched spirited march-pasts by officers of the Nigeria Police, Immigration Service, Correctional Service, Road Safety Corps, and Civil Defence Corps. Selected secondary schools also added youthful vibrance to the celebration.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri inspected the parade and took salutes from the contingents before delivering his Independence address. He paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers, urging citizens to embrace unity and patriotism as guiding principles for building a stronger nation.

“Despite our challenges, togetherness and sacrifice remain the surest path to Nigeria’s progress,” he said, while highlighting strides in politics, infrastructure, education, and the economy.

In a significant act of mercy, Governor Fintiri granted pardon to six inmates across the state, following recommendations by the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. The beneficiaries of the governor’s clemency include Wamari Godwin, Abraham Marksunil, David Paul, Ibrahim Adamu, Usman Inuwa, and Sani Yahaya.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, James Iliya, emphasized that peace and development can only thrive with cooperation and patience from citizens. Similarly, Farouk Mohammed, Chairman of Ganye Local Government Council, praised Governor Fintiri’s focus on grassroots development, describing it as a hallmark of his administration’s six years in office.

As Nigeria reflects on 65 years of nationhood, the celebrations in Yola captured both pride in the country’s journey and renewed hope for unity, progress, and inclusive development.