Just In: Federal Government announce public holidays for Christmas, New Year

The Federal Government has declared Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28, 2020 as well as Friday, January 1, 2020, as public holidays.

The holidays are to commemorate Christmas, and New Year celebrations. 

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday in a statement signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Shuaib Belgore.

In the felicitation message, Aregbesola enjoined Christians and Nigerians at large to emulate the humility and compassion that Jesus Christ signified. 

“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,” he said.

He also pleaded that peace and security of the nation is necessary for the government to achieve its aim of revitalising the economy, improving Foreign Direct Investment as well as generating employment opportunities for over 100 million Nigerian youths in the next 10 years.

The Minister also urged Nigerians to celebrate with caution and keep to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines. He said this is important with the increasing spread of the virus and a seeming second wave of the virus.  

“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, Aregbesola 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.

“He wished all Nigerians and Christians in particular, a happy Christmas and New Year Celebrations”, the statement added.