FG declares October 1 public holiday

Rauf Aregbesola
Aregbesola

The Federal Government has declared October 1 as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.

Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola made the announcement on Tuesday, congratulating all Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s diamond jubilee.

In a statement by the ministry’s permanent secretary Georgina Ehuriah, Aregbesola stressed the government’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

“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,” Aregbesola was quoted as saying.

The statement further said, “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.”