A former Head of State, General Muhamadu Buhari, is set to mark the independence day in Ekiti State, it was learnt on Tuesday.
He is to inaugurate a 12,000 Seater Ekiti Parapo Square as part of activities marking the fourth anniversary of the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi, which coincides with the celebration.
The square is one of the legacy projects of the Fayemi administration.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, the 2014 edition of the State Merit Award would hold at the arena shortly after.
Among those shortlisted for the award is Mr. Moses Owolabi, a physically challenged newspaper vendor in Ekiti State.
Meanwhile, the Governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country by continually seeking God's intervention in the nation's affairs.
In a message in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday on the 54th independence anniversary of the country, made available to journalists through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose prayed God to shame those fomenting trouble and planning evil for the nation.
While felicitating with the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole on the remarkable occasion, he said despite all odds, Nigerians could still count their blessings and thank God.
He said, "Nigerians should not lose hope or give up on the country because of the challenges we are facing, especially, in the area of security. We should be appreciative that steps taken by the Federal Government and the Armed Forces in recent times are yielding good results.
"We must continue to support President Goodluck Jonathan and pray for the success of the administration as we are all stakeholders in the enterprise called Nigeria. Just as the President said some days ago, if we work as a team like we did in tackling the Ebola Virus Disease issue, insecurity and other vices in the nation would be a thing of the past,"he said.
Fayose promised to provide quality leadership that will better the lives of the people.
He, however, appealed to those yet to get over their loss in the June 21 governorship poll to note that it is God who install people in positions, urging them to remember the saying that, 'The voice of the people is the voice of God'.
PUNCH
