… Declares Wednesday, Thursday As Public Holidays
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reintroduced COVID-19 restrictions across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The government has also declared Wednesday and Thursday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Channels Television reports that this new directive is to take effect by midnight of Tuesday,
According to the report, a member of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Dr Mukhtar Mohammed, who is the Head of Technical Secretariat of the PSC, made the announcement while briefing reporters on Monday in Abuja.
With the restrictions imposed, mass gatherings in public spaces have been restricted to 50 people at any given time.
The PSC said access to government institutions would also be denied to anyone not wearing a face mask while government meetings and travels have been limited to the virtual platform.
According to Mohammed, the government has directed that bars and nightclubs should remain closed and the nationwide curfew will be in force until further notice.
He stated that only essential international travels would be encouraged, and all existing protocols must be strictly adhered to.
The PSC member, however, stated that there was no limitation to intra-state travel.
Eid-El-Fitr: FG Declares Wednesday, Thursday As Public Holidays
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Wednesday and Thursday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Mr Rauf Aregbesola, who is the Minister of Interior, made the declaration on Monday in Abuja on behalf of the government.
He congratulated the Muslim faithful on the occasion and called on all Nigerians – at home and abroad – to use the period of the celebration to pray for peace, stability, and economic transformation in the land.
The minister believes that development cannot thrive in a rancorous atmosphere and urged all Nigerians to be law-abiding and embrace the spirit of love, self-discipline, kindness, and tolerance, as taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
He called on all security agencies in the country to be more courageous and patriotic to surmount the ongoing battle against resurging insecurity and activities of criminal elements in the country.
Aregbesola assured the people of the resolve of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to end the scourge of crime and criminality in the country, as well as restore peace to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
“This administration will not be deterred in its efforts, until every Nigerian and resident of the country, is free to move around without fear of any threat to his/her life and property,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore.
The minister added, “We are, therefore, putting necessary measures and strategies in place to strengthen the stability of the country, as well as ensuring the economic prosperity of our dear nation.” he emphasised.
He wished all Muslims a happy and peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration.