On Thursday, October 1, 2020, Nigeria will be celebrating 60th anniversary of its independence from the colonial masters. And as usual, activities have been lined up in commemoration of the momentous occasion in the nation’s history. President Muhammadu Buhari kicked off the celebration with the unveiling of the anniversary logo the preceding Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council Meeting held at the Council Chambers, Aso Villa, Abuja. Speaking at the brief unveiling ceremony, President Buhari noted that Nigeria has evolved from its post colonial years to become a prized country.
The logo depicted the country’s prized features splendidly with sparkling diamonds. But the diamond anniversary will not be as splendid; the bundle of 11-month commemorative activities events will be low key. The story of Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary logo on which all these modest events will rest is quite interesting and rich with collaborative activities. He stated: “Celebrating sixty years of independence really calls for pomp and pageantry, but the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced all nations in the world to think and act differently, has also foisted on us the imperative of a low-keyed celebration. “Operating within the limitations placed by the COVID-19 pandemic we created an internet challenge for Nigerians to make a choice from a set of four pre-selected logos that would appropriately define the theme.” According to him of these four options, Nigerians from all walks of life participated in making a choice.
“I am happy to let you know that the logo I would be unveiling is a product of choice from the Nigerian people,” he emphasised. “I am informed that the selected option depicts our togetherness, a country of over 200 million people whose natural talent, grit and passion glitter like the precious DIAMOND we are. This, to me, is a special appreciation to our most precious asset – our people. Everywhere you go, Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in Academia, Business, Innovation, Music, Movie, Entertainment, Fashion and culture.
‘Furthermore, I am also made aware that the neatly encrusted Diamond on the Nigerian Map symbolizes our age of treasure, the worth of the Nigerian people with our sparkle to the admiration of the world. In the same vein, the pear green and dark green colours should respectively remind us of our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as the abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land. All these properties make us unarguably the most prosperous black nation in the world and Africa’s largest economy.
” The preferred logo was one of the 15 options developed pro bono for the Federal Government by a consortium of marketing communications and productions companies comprising Chain Reactions Nigeria, a leading Public Relations and Integrated Communications Consulting firm, The Temple Management Company, a talent and event management agency, and TBWA Africa, one of Africa’s leading advertising agencies. The logo was unveiled in company of a theme – “Together.” President Buhari explained, “Our founding fathers, In spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue came TOGETHER to fight for Nigeria’s independence.
This shall be a befitting tribute to the struggles of our heroes past.” The logo has a white background with a giant figure 60 superimposed on a green map of Nigeria. “Together” is written in all caps below the 60 to the right with the figure zero comprising several glittering crystals that add up to a giant sparkling diamond. The logo symbolises the great nation’s attainment of the Diamond Age of 60 and its precious assets. Presenting the creative rationale behind the logo, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, Lead Consultant for the consortium and Managing Director, Chain Reactions Nigeria, , said diamond is from the root word, “Adamas” which means invincible or unconquerable and enduring.
“These are the dominant traits of the Nigerian Spirit. We are invincible, unconquerable and enduring. The imagery of the diamond is in celebration of the resilience our people are known for. Diamonds are formed under pressures. It is a metaphor for how the Nigerian Spirit comes forth brilliantly under pressure,” he noted.
