Yemisi Izuora
THE federal government has declared Monday, June 26 and Tuesday 27, as a public holiday to mark Id-El-Fitr celebration.
Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, Minister of Interior, who made the declaration on Thursday, June 23, on behalf of the Federal Government, 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 also 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.”
He reaffirmed the determination of the administration to protect all lives and property of Nigerians, warning 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 assured Nigerians that the government will be just and fair to all, wishing Muslims a peaceful and rewarding celebration.