The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Friday 25th and Monday 28th December 2020 and as well as Friday, January 1st, 2021, as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Celebrations in the country.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, on Wednesday.
The minister felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians both at home and in diaspora on this year’s Christmas and New Year Celebrations.
He tasked Christians to adopt the creed of Christ on faith, hope and love. “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 further noted that peace and security are critical factors needed to enable the government to accomplish its mission of revitalizing the economy, improving Foreign Direct Investment as well as generating employment opportunities for over 100 million Nigerian youths in the next 10 years.
Aregbesola advised Nigerians and Christians, in particular, to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, as stipulated by relevant authorities, during and after the yuletide, especially with the second wave of the outbreak of the disease.