The federal government has declared Friday, December 1 as a public holiday in commemoration of the Muslim Eid-El-Maulud celebration.
The minister of interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau,made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
The statement was signed by Abubakar Magaji, the permanent secretary, ministry of interior.
In it Dambazau urged all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the Eid-El-Maulud to pray for peace, progress and unity of the country.
He also urged Nigerians to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its efforts to build a virile nation.
The minister also wished Nigerians a happy celebration.
Eid-El-Maulud is celebrated every year by Muslims on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal as the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.