By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has proclaimed Monday, May 3, 2021, as a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day.
This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, on Thursday in a statement signed by Mr Shuaib Belgore, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
While congratulating Nigerian workers, he praised them for their patience, understanding and called for help in guiding President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s policies and programmes in its determination to take the country to the next stage of socio-economic growth.
Mr Aregbesola urged all Nigerian employees and labour unions to show more commitment and loyalty, saying the current problems would be overcome soon because the government was committed to the security of all Nigerians’ lives and property.
“Government is putting all strategies in place to curb the challenges of insecurity in the country.
“I, therefore, call on the labour force and all patriotic citizens to be fully committed to the task of putting insecurity to a permanent end as much as possible,” he stressed.
Every May 1 is observed as Workers’ Day in Nigeria but when any public holiday falls on a weekend, the next weekday is declared a holiday.
This year’s Workers’ Day falls on a Saturday and in line with the tradition, Monday would be observed as a work-free day by the workers.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka