PBA Reporter
Nigerian government has declared Monday, October 3, 2022, as a public holiday to mark the country’s 62nd Independence anniversary celebration.
This was made known in a statement on Wednesday signed by Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior.
The ministry headed by Rauf Aregbesola, on behalf of the Federal Government, wished Nigerians a memorable independence celebration.
Aregbesola who reminded the citizens of the fact that the founding fathers, despite their differences in faith, tribe and language, still came together for Nigeria’s independence, urged them to use the occasion of the celebration to reflect on the challenges facing the country and the role individuals can play in tackling them.
He assured of the government’s commitment to tackling all the challenges facing the nation and bringing smiles to the faces of all the people, reiterating the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country.
Part of the statement reads, “The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation. However, I am assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at our disposal until respite comes our way.
“Our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, make Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope. If we can rally ourselves together to harness our potential, we shall be the greatest nation on the earth.”
The minister who admitted that the country is currently experiencing challenges of insecurity and other social vices said they are only temporal and would come to pass.
“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the most high for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today,” the statement added.
He rounded up by advising the citizens to shun all forms of violence, be security conscious, and be good ambassadors of the country.
