By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12, 2022, have been declared by the federal government as work-free days to celebrate this year’s Eid-el Kabir, which would be observed on Saturday, July 9.
A statement signed on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mr Shuaib Belgore, wished Muslims across the country a happy Eid-el Kabir celebration, urging Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities they observed around them to law enforcement agencies with the use of N-Alerts application that has been designed to mitigate security challenges with a prompt response from security agencies, most especially during the festival.
“I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment,” the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, was quoted as saying in the statement.
While congratulating all Muslims and Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on the Sallah holiday, the Minister said the government was “committed to the security of lives and properties of all Nigerians, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools.”
He also enjoined all Nigerians to be vigilant and observant of intruders in their communities, reminding them that, “We must all take responsibility for the security of lives and property as we celebrate this year’s festival.”
Mr Aregbesola craved the “indulgence of every Nigerians to come together, put our heads, hearts and all we have together, in order to achieve relative peace for harmonious coexistence and put an end to insecurities in Nigeria.”