THE federal government has declared Friday (Christmas Day), Monday, December 28, 2020 and next week’s Friday, January 1, 2021, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations respectively, Mr Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga, stated on Wednesday in a statement on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
According to the statement, the federal government felicitates with Christians and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on this year’s Christmas and New Year Celebrations. The statement urged Christians to adopt the creed of Christ on faith, hope and love.
“We must emulate the life of humility, service, compassion, patience, peace and righteousness that the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ signified, that will be the best way to know Christ and celebrate his birth,” the statement said, while also adding that peace and security are critical factors needed to enable government to accomplish its mission of revitalising the economy, improving Foreign Direct Investment as well as generating employment opportunities for over 100 million Nigerian youth in the next 10 years.
The government advised Nigerians, Christians in particular, to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines as stipulated by relevant authorities, during and after the yuletide, especially with the second wave of the outbreak of the disease.
The Minister, who reiterated Federal Government’s avowed commitment to the fight against armed banditry, kidnappings and other crimes and criminalities in the country, called on Nigerians to support the efforts of the security agencies by providing them with information that will enhance intelligence gathering.
While admonishing all Nigerians to remain focused, determined, patient and patriotic, the government expressed confidence that the year 2021 would be a better year for all Nigerians and therefore urged Christians to use the period to pray for Nigeria.
