The Federal Government has declared Friday 25, Monday 28 December 2020 and Friday, January 1, 2021 as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Celebrations respectively.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Shuaib Belgore said Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government even as he felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on this year’s Christmas and New Year Celebrations.
Aregbesola urged Christians to adopt the creed of Christ on faith, hope and love. “We must emulate the life of humility, service, compassion, patience, peace and righteousness that the birth and Ministry of Jesus Christ signified, that will be the best way to know Christ and celebrate his birth”, he said.
He noted that peace and security are critical factors needed to enable Government accomplish its mission of revitalizing the economy, improving Foreign Direct Investment as well as generating employment opportunities for over 100 million Nigerian youths in the next 10 years.
Aregbesola advised Nigerians and Christians in particular, to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines, as stipulated by relevant authorities, during and after the yuletide, especially with the second wave of the outbreak of the disease, the statement said.
The Minister who reiterated Federal Government’s avowed commitment to the fight against armed banditry, kidnappings and other crimes and criminalities in the country, called on Nigerians to support the efforts of the security agencies by providing them with information that will enhance intelligence gathering.
While admonishing all Nigerians to remain focused, determined, patient and patriotic, Aregbesola expressed confidence that the year 2021 would be a better year for all Nigerians and therefore urged Christians to use the period to pray for Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has informed the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places including key and vulnerable points during the yuletide seasons.
According to a statement by spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, the planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
“The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the Government,” the statement said.
Against this backdrop, the secret police called on the citizens to be extra vigilant and report strange movements and indeed, all suspicions around them to security and law enforcement agencies.
“On its part, the Service is collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property. To further achieve this purpose, the Service has provided these emergency response numbers08132222105 and09030002189 for urgent contacts.
“It is also using this opportunity to unveil its interactive website www.dss.gov.ng for public communication support. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these platforms and similar ones provided by related agencies to timely reach and avail them (security agencies) of required information,” the statement added.
The Service advised those planning to cause chaos and damage to public peace to desist from such as it will stop at nothing to apprehend and bring them to justice.
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