BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The federal government has declared Monday, October 3, 2022 as public holiday in commemoration of Nigeria's 62nd Independence anniversary celebration.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore yesterday.
While congratulating Nigerians on this year’s celebration, he assured of government’s commitment in tackling all the challenges facing the nation, with a view to putting smiles on their faces.
The statement reads, "The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation. However, I am assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at our disposal until respite comes our way."
“Our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, make Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope. If we can rally ourselves together to harness our potentials, we shall be the greatest nation on the earth."
“A country of over 200 million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are; Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in the academia, science and technology, business, innovation, music, entertainment, fashion or culture”, he said.
Aregbesola urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to reflect on the challenges facing the nation and the role individuals would play in addressing them.
He encouraged Nigerians to work hard, shun any attraction to get rich through criminal and other immoral means, saying that an individual and nation could only create wealth and get rich through productivity.
While wishing Nigerians a memorable independence celebration, he reminded that our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, still united for Nigeria’s independence.
“Though our nation is going through challenges, especially on security, these challenges are temporary and do not define us. We are defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people in our diversity, strength, ingenuity and resilience."
“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the most high for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today,” the minister added.
He pleaded with Nigerians to join forces with President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad, which he said would be a befitting tribute to our heroes past.
The minister urged Nigerians to shun all forms of violence and be security conscious, asking them to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency through the N-Alert application on Android and IOS, saying that, "When you see something, do N-Alert for prompt response from security agents.”
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