The Federal Government on Tuesday declared Thursday, October 1, as a public holiday in commemoration of Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, expressed the commitment of the government in the socio-economic transformation of the country while congratulating Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s Diamond Jubilee.
This was contained in a statement titled, ‘FG Declares Thursday, October 1, 2020, Public Holiday To Mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary’ and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah.
The statement reads:
“Though celebrating sixty years of independence really calls for pomp and pageantry, but with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced all nations in the world to think and act cautiously, we cannot avoid the imperative of a low-keyed celebration at this time.”
It added, “While wishing Nigerians a fruitful independence celebration, he reminded them of the fact that our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue came together for Nigeria’s independence.
He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to join hands together with the present Administration in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad as this, he said, shall be a befitting tribute to the struggles of our heroes past.