By John Ikani
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday and Tuesday, May 2 and 3 as public holidays to mark this year’s Workers Day and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, on Thursday.
Aregbesola congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration as well as commended them for their hard work, diligence, and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.
The statement partly reads, “Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead are incapable of working.
“I, therefore, enjoin workers to imbibe the culture of productivity. Workers are also urged to raise the bar of their trade-in line with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retired) led administration’s drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation. The end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to the satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is therefore the path to national and individual prosperity.’’
Similarly, he congratulated all Muslims across the country for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
Aregbesola called on them to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice, and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
“The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice, and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper,” he said.
The minister wished all Muslims a happy Eid-ul-Fitr celebration and prayed that the peace, blessings, and favours of Allah be with them
