The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Events, Atika Ajanah, has disclosed that her global travel experiences inspired the idea behind the first-ever drone show held in Nigeria and West Africa during the New Year countdown for 2024.
Speaking in an interview, Ajanah explained that witnessing similar spectacular drone displays in cities like Singapore and Paris motivated her to replicate the experience in Nigeria.
“Drone shows are something I’ve always admired. We’ve travelled to Singapore, Paris and other places and seen how beautifully they organise such events to usher in the New Year,” she said.
“When I was appointed as SSA to the President on Social Events, it gave me the opportunity to bring new ideas to the table. We submitted a proposal and it was approved. In the end, it turned out to be even more colourful than we had imagined.”
The landmark drone show, which marked the 2024 New Year countdown, was held in Abuja and has since gained widespread acclaim for introducing a modern and visually captivating element to national celebrations. It remains a subject of conversation within social event circles across the country.Ajanah stressed her commitment to revamping the nation’s ceremonial calendar by infusing creativity and innovation into key government events, including Democracy Day, Independence Day, and other national celebrations.
She noted that the New Year drone display was not only about entertainment but also served as a platform to showcase Nigeria’s cultural richness to the global community.
“It was an opportunity to project Nigeria in line with other developed and developing nations, while also highlighting our cultural heritage through colourful attire and traditional cuisine,” she said.
The presidential aide expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative, saying his endorsement enabled Nigeria to deliver an event typically associated with more advanced economies.
“This show was once thought to be something only developed countries could achieve. But with the President’s backing, we made it a reality right here in Nigeria,” she said.
THE GUARDIAN
