The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on behalf of the Federal Government announced Tuesday 20th, and Wednesday 21st July 2021, as a public holiday set aside to mark this year's Eid-el Kabir celebration, and also congratulates all Muslim faithful and Nigerians at home and in Diaspora on this occasion.
“I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness, and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity, and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment.
“These mainly are bandits in the North West and North Central, insurgents in the North East, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic agitators, and sundry criminals in other parts of the country” Aregbesola added.
He also enjoined on all Nigerians the observance of all Covid-19 protocols, particularly the non-pharmaceutical measures – wearing facemasks, hand washing, and social distancing – designed to keep the transmission of the disease at bay. “We must all take responsibility for containment of the pandemic during this year’s festival,” he said.
The Minister sympathizes with the families of school children who have been kidnapped or suffered one misfortune or another. “Our hearts and prayers of comfort are with you,” Aregbesola said.