Eid-el-Maulud: FG declares Thursday public holiday

THE Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 29, a public holiday to mark Eid-el-Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this known in a statement through the ministry’s spokesperson, Mohammed Manga.

Congratulating the Muslim faithful both at home and abroad for witnessing this year’s occasion, the minister enjoined them to “imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance, which are the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

He added emulating Prophet Muhammed’s virtues would guarantee peace and security in the country.

The statement quoted the minister as admonishing Muslims to “follow the teaching of the Holy Quran in Chapter 4 Verse 59, which says: “O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger, and those from among you who are vested with authority; and if you are to dispute among yourselves about anything, refer it to God and the Messenger, if indeed you believe in God and the Last Day. This is the best (for you), and fairest in the end”.

Continuing, the statement said, Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, at this moment, to “abhor violence, lawlessness, wantonness and daylight robbery as witnessed across the country most recently, stressing that Nigeria is the pride of the black race and should provide responsible leadership for the greatness and development of the African continent and all black people.

“While calling for a stop to all divisive tendencies across the country, the Minister urged all Nigerians and the youth in particular, to embrace peace and cooperate with the President Muhammadu Buhari led-Administration in its effort to build a virile nation, which all citizens can be proud of.

Describing the youth as the hope and future of the nation, Aregbesola “advised them further to deepen democracy and not dampen it. For him, it is with more democracy that we can overcome our challenges, noting that the challenges of nationhood that we face are surmountable if we work through the democratic process.”