The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has declared Friday, April 7, and Monday, April 10, as public holidays to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration. Aregbesola made this announcement on Wednesday, April 5, in Abuja, according to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore.
In his statement, Aregbesola called on Christians to emulate the virtues of selflessness, camaraderie, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace, and patience that Jesus Christ demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry. He also encouraged Christians and all Nigerians to use this year’s Easter season to pray for an end to the country’s security challenges.
The minister stressed that security is everyone’s responsibility, urging Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria to demonstrate a high level of citizenship and public-spiritedness by supporting the efforts of all security agencies in securing the lives and property of citizens.
Aregbesola also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is taking all necessary steps to ensure a peaceful transfer of power after the completion of the electoral process. He wished Christians a peaceful Easter celebration and urged them to love their neighbours by performing acts of kindness and charity, with the wealthy sharing their possessions with the less fortunate.
The minister also reassured Nigerians that the country is on the path to greatness and urged everyone to channel their creative energies positively to fully realize the impending prosperity.