At a time when the banning of fireworks is popular due to the havoc wreaked in the past in several states of Nigeria, Osun State Government has said it had concluded plans to usher in the new year with fireworks displays in 10 towns across the state.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Monday, Mr Sunday Akere, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the towns where the government would officially display fireworks to usher in 2014 include Ilesa, Ife, Ikirun, Iwo and Osogbo.
Others are Ikire, Ede, Ejigbo, Ila and Okuku.
According to the commissioner, the display would be a way of “letting the people know that government activities should not be localised and centralised to the capital alone”.
“The essence of a responsible government is to spread its policies and programme with a view to allowing the populace to have a feel of government at all times”.
“It is our way of celebrating and welcoming the year in conformity with global practice.”
“It is the desire of government to ensure that the new year is celebrated with funfair.”
The commissioner said that government officials from each of the constituencies would monitor the display.
He therefore appealed for calm from the people of the state during the exercise, adding that there would be no reason for panic.
The move by the government means residents of the state can freely use fireworks on the streets without fear of being arrested as we have in states where use of fireworks is banned. Several religious organisations have however banned the use of fireworks in their premises while celebrating the new year.
