The Federal Government today set a precedent by extending the public holiday for the Eid-el-Fitr festival by one more day. The government had last week declared Tuesday and Wednesday work-free for the Muslim festival, only to issue a statement this afternoon adding one more day.
The statement, signed by Bassey Okon Akpanyung, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, reads:
“Following the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today as a result of the non-sighting of the moon, the Federal Government has declared Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July, 2016 as Public Holiday.
“In making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, urged Nigerians to use this period of sober reflections to ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence, while giving full support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation.
“The Honourable Minister wishes Nigerians a peaceful celebration.”
•Photo shows Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau.
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