Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory, wore a sombre look yesterday as the nation marked its 51st anniversary as a flag nation. Its streets were devoid of gaiety or felicity as residents stayed indoors amid fears of attacks from the terrorist group, Boko Haram and Movement for the Emancip-ation of Niger Delta that had threatened to bomb the city. Last year, two cars rigged with bombs by the militants exploded near the Eagle Square, venue of the golden jubilee independence anniversary celebration, killing 12 persons. As part of the low-key celebration, President Goodluck Jonathan superintended over a parade held in the safe precinct of the Presidential Villa and attended by select government officials and foreign diplomats. In Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) urged Nigerians to stand up against insecurity, poverty and hunger currently challenging the peaceful co-existence of the country, adding that every citizen “has a role to play in the future progress of our country.” The parade at the Presidential Villa was moved from the Eagle Square to the more secure seat of power in view of threats by Boko Haram and MEND. Jonathan inspected a guard of honour mounted by the 177 Brigade of Guards from Keffi and the 6th Battalion, Abuja after which there was change of flags and signing of the independence register. At the ceremony, a soldier played an electronic keyboard and sang "We Are The World." The military guard presented flags and twirled their rifles. At the end, Jonathan took a dove into his hands and threw it into the air, as others released from a cage flew into the sky. Aides brushed feathers off the president's traditional black caftan. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor and Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Sheik Usman Muhammad, prayed for the country. Earlier, Jonathan, in an address broadcast on television and radio stations nationwide yesterday, had said Nigeria would not be intimidated by terrorism. "Nigerian spirit cannot be broken. The current incidents of violence and terror in parts of the country will surely be overcome. We will secure the safety of our citizens for only when we do this will we be able to build the needed peace and tranquility in all parts of the federation." Security agents, both in uniforms and plain clothes, however, kept vigil over many strategic parts of the city, including the Eagle Square, to prevent a possible attack. At the Eagle Square, the traditional venue of independent anniversary parade where MEND had warned people to stay off, only soldiers and other well-armed security agents were in the area. Entrance to the square and the environs of the federal secretariat were cordoned off by soldiers and members of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Also, entrances to the Presidential Villa from both Maitama and Asokoro end were all blocked. Plain-clothes security agents roved the city in a convoy. All the offices of security agencies, including the Defence Intelligence Agency, State Security Services, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as well as Defence, Army, Air force and Navy Headquarters at Area 8, were specially guarded with heavy blocks placed in a zigzag position at their entrances to obstruct easy movement of vehicles. At the International Conference Centre where a youth programme was in progress, the security was equally tight. Two armoured vehicles were stationed near the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation at the Central Area, with other well-equipped anti-bomb vehicles parked at strategic areas. The large number of armed soldiers in and around NNPC scared away people from the environs. Even the usually busy Abuja suburbs such as Karu, Nyanya and Kubwa were deserted as the residents stayed indoors to watch on television the indoor parade at the Presidential Villa meant for only a select few government officials. For many of the residents, it was an unusual Independence Day anniversary as most of the streets and relaxation points were deserted, apparently in fear of the recent threats. THISDAY gathered that most residents received calls from families and friends outside the Federal Capital City, warning them to stay at home for fear of losing their lives in case of an attack from either of the two terror groups. While some of the residents stayed indoors to monitor the celebration, which the federal government had said would be low key, on their television sets, others went to worship centres to pray for the nation. A resident, Mallam Umar Abdullahi, told THISDAY that even in a war situation, “this city cannot be so desolate.” Another resident who craved anonymity who was asked what he felt about the low-key celebration, said it was good, adding: "'Come to think of it, when President Olusegun Obasanjo was in charge, Eagle Square had little or no celebration to host on Independence Day. So, President Goodluck Jonathan was right in declaring the event, if any as low-keyed." One of the few hawkers sighted around the Federal Secretariat Complex said that business had been terrible for them as there were no customers as the whole area was cordoned off. “We could not sell much as there is nothing happening here (Eagle Square) and the security men cannot even allow us to enter inside. This anniversary is different from other independent day celebrations,” the hawker said. Commercial drivers complained of the effect of the security scarce on business. “I have never seen this kind of thing before (calm and low-keyed independent celebration). This is the first time we have very few people venturing out during holidays like this. Usually, when we come around popular centres such as the Eagle Square and Millennium Park, we will always see many people to patronise us,” a cab drivers said. Similarly, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was devoid of hustle and bustle. A traveller, Mr. Peter Madu, who arrived in the FCT yesterday through the airport told THISDAY that the usually busy Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road (Airport Road) was “empty and dry.” He said: “This is unusual; activities at the airport were low and the Airport Road was unusually calm and empty. I knew of the threat (by MEND and Boko Haram) but I have to come back for my family after a business trip to Yola. Another resident said she got a call from some of her family members not to go out. “I received calls from my mother and sister-in-law advising me and my family not to venture out of our house today because of the threats of MEND and Boko Haram,” Blossom Ehiz said. Some of the residents used the opportunity to pray for God’s urgent intervention in the nation for peace, prosperity and security. Leading his congregation in a special prayer session for Nigeria, the Regional Pastor in Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Northern Region 10, Abuja, Pastor John Olaade, said Nigeria would rise to its full potential. Olaade urged members of the church to pray for the healing of the nation and noted that despite the attacks of the enemies, the activities of terrorist groups, Nigeria would remain a stable, united and prosperous nation. “Do not look down on Nigeria or anybody because just like the story of Esther and Joseph God can use anybody or anything to help one get to the top,” he said. Fashola, in an address at a ceremony in Ikeja to mark the independence anniversary, urged the people not to be docile in the face of want, hunger, poverty and insecurity, which he said, constituted central challenges undermining the core values of the country. He called on the people to “consider choices and options to redress those wrongs without aggravating our already difficult situation. In spite of the challenges we face, my belief is unshaken that our better days lie ahead. But we earn it by working hard.” He said it would require the common efforts of every citizen deployed in a peaceful atmosphere to build the collectively desired country. “We can of course continue to agonise without organising, and in that sense betray the responsibility of our generation. Conversely, we can resolve from today to be part of the solution rather than the problem,” he added. The governor also said the nation cannot solve the problem of poverty, unemployment and hunger by continuous resort to strikes or the pursuit of violence. “Strikes stop the production cycle totally or at least impede it further; while violence creates insecurity which takes away the peaceful environment that is required for productive activity and economic growth to take place. “While poverty, unemployment and hunger are intolerable in a country that is so richly endowed, the truth is that we have had one strike too many for there to be a consistent period of expected productive change,” the governor said. He added that his administration has continued to aggressively pursue policies that will lighten the burden of the people by passing laws to protect the physically challenged, to protect women and regulate landlord and tenants’ relationships as well as its housing programme. “Indeed, one of the promises I made on October 1st 2010 was the Lagos Ignite Enterprise and Employability Project, which has produced employment for graduates in the teaching and agricultural sectors of our economy and some more are in training as we finalise the plans to expand these opportunities in the health sector through the training of nurses,” Fashola said.