By Abibat Aliu
The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 10, 2022, as a public holiday to mark this year’s Maulud Nabiyy in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The minister of the Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made this declaration on behalf of the federal government while congratulating all Muslims both at home and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.
Aregbesola, in a statement signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, admonished all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance, and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) exemplified, as doing so would guarantee peace, security, and harmony in the country.
Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness, and other acts of criminality.
He said: “as the indisputable leader of our race, we must demonstrate responsible leadership in Africa.”
While calling for a stop to all divisive tendencies across the country, he urged all Nigerians, and the youth, in particular, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of their faith, ideology, social class, and ethnicity but join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that all citizens would be proud of.
