By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
The federal government has declared Monday and Tuesday, June 26, 27, this year, as public holidays to mark Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
Declaring the holidays yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd), who made the announcement in a statement signed by a director overseeing the office of Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Rufa’i Kawu Attahiru, enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the celebration for sober reflection and pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation in its march to nationhood.
Dambazau urged all Nigerians to shun hate speeches and divisive tendencies and “join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to build a peaceful, strong and united Nigeria, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, including the right of residence in any part of the country, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Minister reaffirmed the determination of the administration to protect all lives and property of Nigerians, adding that “the will of this administration should not be tested as to its capability to deploy security agencies to deal with any individual or group that may threaten the corporate existence of the nation, as well as the peaceful co-existence of the people.”
The Minister while wishing Nigerians a peaceful and rewarding celebration, further assured Nigerians of the government’s resolve to be just and fair to all.
