The Federal Government has declared Friday 7 and Monday 10 April, both Good Friday and Easter Monday as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja on behalf of the Federal Government.
Aregbesola urged Christians to emulate the virtues of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love and patience which were attributes of Jesus Christ as exemplified by His ministry on earth.
He called on Christians to use the occasion to pray for Nigeria especially the insecurity in some parts of the country.
He said security is everybody’s concern and business, adding: “I therefore urge Nigerians and foreigners’ resident in our country to display a high sense of citizenships and public spiritedness by supporting the efforts of all security agencies in bringing peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, in a statement said the Minister assured that Federal Government is doing all that is necessary to ensure a peaceful transition of government following the peaceful conduct of elections.
“While wishing Christians at home and in the Diaspora a happy and peaceful Easter celebration, he also enjoins them to love their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity of spirit, with the well-to-do sharing their substance with the less privileged around them.
“Aregbesola once more assures Nigerians that the nation is persistently on the path to greatness and urges all to positively deploy their creative energy for the full realization of the coming prosperity.
“There is surely light at the end of the tunnel.
“He wishes all Christians a most blissful Easter celebration and all Nigerians a happy holiday,” the Minister stated.
