SGF Concept Document Final2
SGF Concept Document Final2
SGF Concept Document Final2
FOR THE
NIGERIA CENTENARY
Preamble:
This Concept Document is divided into five main parts, with two
appendices attached at the end.
The first part deals with the Vision, Mission, Theme, Background and
Objectives of the Centenary celebrations. The second part explains why
Nigeria should celebrate the Centenary. The third part looks at the
detailed components of the celebrations, such as the overall Centenary
Project initiative, while the fourth section shows how the Centenary will
revolve around private sector participation, job creation, media and
international events. The concluding part deals with other national,
international and state events, the Centenary Lottery programme,
Sponsorships and Marketing.
The first of the two Appendices gives details of the 12-month long
Centenary celebration schedule. The second Appendix is a description of
the Centenary City.
PART ONE
THE BROAD FRAMEWORK
The Centenary celebrations are designed around the key concepts of
unity, indivisibility, virility, progress and promise of the Nigerian
federation. It is against this background that the following are put
forward as nodal anchors for its delivery.
THEME
One Nigeria: Great Promise
VISION
To project a united, vibrant, progressive and respected nation eager to
lead in world affairs.
MISSION
To re-inspire the unity of Nigeria
BACKGROUND
Modern-day Nigeria came into being on January 1, 1914, with the formal
amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of the former
British colony. Therefore January 1, 2014, marks 100 years of the union.
The Centenary celebration offers a unique opportunity to focus global
attention on Nigeria, her history, peoples, achievements, and aspirations.
THE OBJECTIVES
Celebrate Nigerias history and unity
Celebrate our diversity, hopes and great promise that inspires our
people
Reinforce our hopes and express our shared values, to strengthen
national consciousness and patriotism
Preserve our heritage, and document our history, achievements and
progress
Institute legacy projects as a lasting reference for the Centenary
Promote enterprise development, wealth and job creation
Promote women and youth empowerment, sports and tourism
Promote environmental awareness
Promote our national image and enhance our prestige
PART 2
WHY WE SHOULD CELEBRATE
The Centenary celebration will present an opportunity for us to count our
blessings as a nation, celebrate our dexterity and resilience as a people,
and resolve to launch into the next century with renewed determination,
hope and expectations. Accordingly, we must make bold to advance the
following reasons as why we must celebrate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Iweriebor, Ehiedu (2012). The Affirmative Nigeria Narrative: A Perspective on National Transformation. Paper
nd
presented at the Nigeria 52 Independence Anniversary Celebration, September 18, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Abuja.
2
Ibid
12.
13.
14.
history achieve total justice. The question is how to make the best of the
present. And the first step is to get the history right.
Since January 1, 1914, the effort to move Nigeria to a higher realm of unity
and progress is the common thread that links the story of Nigerias
nationalist movement, our founding fathers, and later generations of
leaders and all of us together. We are blessed with a vibrant population
and our democracy is maturing. We must therefore remain together to
enjoy the benefits of our unity.
PART 3
HOW WE WOULD CELEBRATE
Our celebrations will be strong and forceful. It will be colourful and rich,
harnessing and projecting our diversity in culture, the distinctiveness of
our vibrant population, joyously proclaiming the journey to a new national
order for future generations and the world to note. The Centenary
celebration is expected to inspire confidence in our ability and
determination to rise above our present challenges to build a strong and
united nation. It will signify the beginning of something new, a celebration
of a new future for Nigeria.
A major component of the how of the Centenary anniversary is The
Nigerian Centenary Project. This will involve the active participation and
involvement of:
1. Nigerians at home and in Diaspora;
2. Corporate organizations in Nigeria and abroad; and
3. Friends of Nigeria all over the World.
It will hold in Abuja, all State Capitals, some historic towns and cities in
Nigeria and in other cities around the World.
THE CENTENARY PROJECT
This is conceived as a Private Sector Driven Initiative, anchored on three
main pillars, as follows:
Enduring Legacy Projects
The Commemorative Events
The History and Heritage Programme
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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PART 4
PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION AND JOB CREATION
The Centenary will be a multifaceted and multi-location event. It holds
much promise for product commercials, more so provide unique
opportunity for corporate organizations to properly present themselves
as part of Nigerias success story. It is an opportunity to express such
organisations faith in the unity of Nigeria and love for her people.
With the support and active participation of the private sector, the
Centenary celebration will provide potentially 15,000 jobs. It will also
provide an economic boost especially to the informal sector, the petty
traders and the hospitality sector service providers.
PUBLICITY AND MEDIA STRATEGY
Strong local and international media is imperative, focusing on
mobilization and national branding. The emphasis will be on our unity,
diversity, strengths and promise.
The platforms to be used include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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PART 5
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
There are national and international days/events, to be celebrated in
alignment with the Centenary spirit. Some examples are:
1. International Womens Day (Mar 8)
2. Labour Day (May 1)
3. World Press Freedom Day (May 3)
4. Democracy Day (May 29)
5. World Environment Day (June 5)
6. International Justice Day (July 17)
7. International Youth Day (August 12)
8. World Tourism Day (September 27)
9. Nigerias Independence Day (October 1)
10. World Food Day (October 16)
11. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17)
12. World Television Day (November 20)
13. International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December 3)
14. Programme with Traditional/Religious Leaders
15. Dinner with Former Presidents and Heads of State
STATE EVENTS
True to our Federal structure, all states shall design their own Centenary
programmes and celebrate it in their unique way, within the period
allocated for this purpose. The national calendar provides 6 months
within which states may mark the Centenary.
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15
APPENDIX 1
PROPOSED PROGRAMMES, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
OF INTEREST TO GOVERNMENT
FORMAL FLAG-OFF CEREMONY OF THE CENTENARY CELEBRATION
4th February, 2013
Presidential Dinner to Flag-Off the Centenary Celebration. At the Dinner
the following Events and Activities will be carried out:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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APPENDIX 2
DESCRIPTION OF THE CENTENARY CITY
One of the endearing legacies of the celebration shall be the development
of a Centenary City in Abuja. The City is conceived to focus the attention
of the investing world to Nigeria in a way that has never been done
before. The successes of such cities as Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen,
Singapore and lately Songdo have shown that development of certain
class of cities is the strongest social, political and economic tool to
securing Foreign Investment, promoting positive international attention
and indeed signaling a new national economic awakening. The City
promises to be one of the most outstanding legacies of the Centenary.
The Centenary City is a new smart city to be built from scratch on more
than 1,000 hectares of virgin land in Abuja making it the second but
largest private city development in history, after Songdo International
Business District in South Korea. The land for the Centenary City shall be
acquired in accordance with the FCT Land Swap Agreement.
The Centenary City shall be designed by a reputable world-class design
team as a contemporary efficient mixed-use city with emphasis on
modernity and Nigeria's unique cultural heritage. The aim is to
synchronise the demands of todays society and the expectations of
tomorrow and materialize the vision into a working scheme that allow for
the City to develop in a sustainable, ecological and socially responsive
manner. The City will demonstrate the harmony between nature and the
work of man to create a solid example for the future of urban
development in Nigeria and indeed the world and also reinforce our
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collective destiny towards the next one hundred years. The City, like
Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen and Songdo, shall signpost the Nigeria of the
future. The City shall promote leisure, tourism, commerce, sports and will
have a 20% residential component.
The City is also conceived as a centre for the preservation of Nigerias
political history and documentation of her contributions to the political,
cultural and economic development and the advancement of peace and
security in the world, as well as the hub of economic activities.
The goal is to create a new City, a modern urban centrality for the
sustainable development of this magic land, where natural beauty and
architecture icons must merge together to create an environment that is
alive and productive. The City will re-introduce Abuja to the world with the
following features:
A GREEN CITY with a natural buffer that envelopes the entire City
and encircles the central neighbourhood that protects and nurtures
the whole with world-class public facilities;
ZERO WASTE MANAGEMENT - The City will aim at reducing waste to
zero. Domestic waste will be used to create nutrient-rich soil,
fertilizer and incinerated as an additional power source. Other
wastes such as plastics and metals, will be recycled or re-purposed
for other uses;
A CENTRAL PARK - that provides the green-spirit which gives
orientation, clarity and iconic power to the City as a whole but most
powerfully to the City Centre.
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vibrant City would have created over 50,000 construction jobs and 5,000
permanent well-paying jobs. The City is planned for a residential
population of about 100,000 people but to host about 500,000 visitors
daily. It shall promote world-class multinational and domestic businesses
in a world-class and master planned environment that gives meaning to
Life, energy for Work and pleasure for Play, while permanently
contributing to Nigerias economic growth, diversity and greatness into
the next centenary.
SUCCESS FACTORS
Features that have contributed to the success of other cities of this
nature included: