Nigeria minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
From our Abuja Bureau Chief
To mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20 have been declared as work free days (public holidays) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government, announced the declaration on Tuesday, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani.
The minister extends warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the fasting period, it was said.
Tunji-Ojo urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance and sacrifice, which were emphasised during the holy month of Ramadan.
He also called on Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity and prosperity of the country.
While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, Tunji-Ojo was quoted to have encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly, and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.
The Federal Government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians, he was said to have assured.
According to ‘Encyclopedia Britannica,’ Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a joyous major Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan’s month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting.
Celebrated on the first three days of Shawwāl (10th Islamic month), it features communal morning prayers, special foods, new clothes, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and gifts, fostering gratitude, community, and joy.
