Independence: FG Declares Public Holiday As Nigeria Clocks 62

As Nigeria celebrates it's 62nd anniversary on October 2, the government has declared Monday, October 3, 2022, a public holiday.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore.

The minister congratulated Nigerians on the celebration and assured of government’s commitment to tackling the challenges facing the nation and bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

“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 its disposal until respite comes our way,” he added.

Aregbesola reiterated the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country “if we work hard as a people”.

“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 potentials, we shall be the greatest nation on earth.

“A country of over 200 million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are.

“Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in the academia, science and technology, business, innovation, music, entertainment, fashion or culture,” Aregbesola said.

The minister also admonished Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the challenges facing the nation and the role they can play in addressing them, advising them to work hard and shun any attraction to get rich through criminal and other immoral means.

While wishing Nigerians a memorable independence celebration, he reminded them of the fact that Nigeria’s founding fathers, in spite the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, worked together for the country’s independence.

“Though our nation is going through challenges especially, on security, these challenges are temporary and do not define us.

He said the country is defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people in in diversity, strength, ingenuity and resilience.