28th May, 2023
By Cecilia Ijuo
Eagle Square in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the venue for the 2023 Presidential inauguration has been given a facelift.
In preparation for the inauguration, the 5000-seat facility has undergone some renovations. It has been decorated with Nigerian and other country flags, and certain sections had been repainted.
The VIP Pavilion was one of the areas of the square that were repainted prior of the inauguration.
The Eagle Square was built in 1999 to commemorate the launch of the Fourth Republic and has served as the site of presidential inaugurations ever since.
It was also used for various events such as the Workers’ Day celebration and political rallies.
Meanwhile, security had been beefed up within and around the square in preparation for the inauguration of a new government on May 29.
Part of the security measures was the restriction of movement within and around the Eagle Square.
Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), the National Security Adviser(NSA), had said there would be restriction of movement at a certain range around the Eagle Square.
Monguno, who heads the Security, Facilities and Intelligence Committee of the Presidential Transition Council(PTC), said there would be traffic diversion around the area.
He said there would be provision of alternative routes for motorists and pedestrians.
“If you have no business with security you need not be near the vicinity of the programme especially on the inauguration day,” he added.
Access to the venue will only be allowed to accredited persons and designated vehicles on the inauguration day.
NAN