*The Federal Government declares Monday and Tuesday, May 2 and 3, 2022, as public holidays to mark this year’s Workers’ Day and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, commends workers for hard work, diligence, congratulates Muslims on celebrations

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday, May 2 and 3, 2022, as public holidays to mark this year’s Workers’ Day and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

ConsumerConnect reports Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Honourable Minister for Interior, made the declaration Thursday, April 28 on behalf of the Federal Government.

Aregbesola congratulated the Nigerian workers on the occasion, and commended their hard work, diligence, and sacrifice.

The Minister noted that he believes the workers’ efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria commands in the comity of nations.

Dr Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, in a statement quoted the Minister as saying “Labour is the very essence of humanity.

“We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working.”

Aregbesola, therefore, enjoined the workers to imbibe the culture of productivity, saying “The end of work is productivity.

“It is productivity that leads to the satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is, therefore, the path to national and individual prosperity,” he stated.

The Minister, therefore, urged workers to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the country.

Aregesola congratulated all Muslims across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

He also urged them to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice, and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

“The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice, and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper,” he said.

The minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country would soon be a thing of the past.

The government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round, said he.

Aregbesola commended all security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country and the peace that has returned to the formerly embattled places.

He also urged Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nearest to them, noting that security was everybody’s responsibility.

The Honourable Minister wished all Muslims a happy Eid-ul-Fitr celebration and prayed that the peace, blessings, and favours of Allah be with them.