Tobias Sylvester
The Federal Government has declared Friday a public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has announced that Friday, October 1, 2021, has been declared as a public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence celebration.
Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday, congratulated all Nigerians on this year’s independence celebration.
He assured of Government’s commitment to tackling and eradicating all forms of challenges including – be they political, socio-economic or otherwise.
The statement issued by Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, partly reads:
“The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, congratulates all Nigerians on this year’s celebration of the country’s 61st independence and assures all of government’s commitment to tackle and eradicate all forms of challenges –be it political, socio-economic and all diverse problems.
“Aregbesola said that our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as the abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land, makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope, if we can rally ourselves together to harness our potentials.
“A country of about 200 million and above people whose natural talent, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are. Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in academia, business, innovation, music, movie, entertainment, fashion and culture. We are indeed the leading black nation in the entire world and no doubt Africa’s pride and beacon of hope.
“The minister confirmed that, celebrating Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary is necessary, but that the safety of the citizenry is Mr. President’s huge concern, especially with COVID-19 third Delta variant still in place. Therefore, this year’s celebration is being held without the usual pomp and pageantry.
“While wishing Nigerians a fruitful independence celebration, he reminded them of the fact that our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue came together for Nigeria’s independence.
“He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to join hands together with the present Administration in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad as this, he said, shall be a befitting tribute to the struggles of our heroes’ past.”
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