By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Monday, October 2, 2023, a public holiday to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day, which falls on Sunday, October 1.
The Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Oluwatoyin Akinlade, in Abuja on Thursday.
Mr Olubunmi acknowledged the global socio-economic hardship, noting that Nigeria is not excluded.
He, however, reasserted the government’s commitment to tackling the issues facing the country to reassure Nigerians.
“It is today a known fact that difficult Socio-Economic and Security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not isolated.
The Minister stated that “our warm welcoming spirit and love, as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black Nation in the world being Africa’s pride and a beacon of hope.
“While wishing the citizens a memorable independence celebration, the Minister recalls that our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe, and tongue, came together for Nigeria’s freedom which we enjoy today.”
Mr Tunji-Ojo assured that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration through the Renewed Hope Agenda will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to heroes past.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka