Nigeria declares Thursday public holiday for independence




Nigeria government has declared Thursday, October 1, as public holiday to mark the nation’s 60th independence day anniversary celebration.

Minister of interior Rauf Aregbesola Rauf Aregbesola congratulated all Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s diamond jubilee and assured them of government’s unwavering commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

“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,” Aregbesola said in a statement by the permanent secretary of the ministry Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah.

“A country of about 200 million 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,” Aregbesola said.

The minister said although 60 years of independence calls for pomp and pageantry, the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced all nations in the world to think and act cautiously, will make it a low-key celebration.

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 called on all Nigerians to support the present government in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad.to make a befitting tribute to the struggles of heroes past.

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