BY EDMOND ODOK – The Federal Government has declared Monday 27th, and Tuesday, 28th December 2021 as well as Monday, January 3rd, 2022, as public holidays.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, said the days are meant to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year Day celebrations respectively.
A statement issued on Wednesday morning and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore said; “Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations.”
Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoined Christians “to practice the doctrine of Christ, which includes but is not limited to these – faith, hope, and love”, adding; “We must emulate the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings on Humility, Service, Compassion, Patience, Peace, and Righteousness, that His birth signifies.
The Minister, who said; “This will be the best way to portray Christ and celebrate his birth”, however, emphasized that peace and security are two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity.
While urging Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of insecurity bedevilling our dear nation, the statement said; “Aregbesola also charged Nigerians not to be lulled into a false sense of security on COVID-19 pandemic but to note that it is increasingly assuming a very dangerous and harmful dimension with the emergence of a virulent variant, Omicron.”
“This calls for deliberate responsibility and discipline on the part of all”, the Minister said even as he urged Nigerians to always observe all the stipulated non-pharmaceutical protocols and guidelines such as wearing of facemasks, frequent washing of hands with soap and water, using of hand sanitizers, and avoidance of large groups.
In advising members of the public to quickly report to medical authorities any respiratory illness observed in self and others before, during and after the Yuletide, the Minister said this period calls for spartan discipline in order to prevent the spread of the virus in our community and the nation as a whole.
Furthermore, he said it was important to “Moderately celebrate the festival without large groupings and observe all the protocols stipulated by medical authorities. Take it as a point of personal responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus”.
Assuring that the government has put in place effective measures for the security of lives and property, Ogbeni Aregbesola said Nigerians are expected to support the efforts of security agencies by providing useful information that will assist them in the performance of their constitutional duties.
Going forward, the statement quoted Aregbesola as admonishing “all citizens to remain focused and expresses confidence that the year 2022 would be a better year for us all. He wishes all Christians, in particular, a happy Christmas and all Nigerians a peaceful and prosperous New Year celebration.”
