Friday and Monday have been declared as holidays by the federal government for Easter celebrations.
The announcement was made on Tuesday April 12 by Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, on behalf of the federal government.
Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry in a statement released on behalf of the minister, urged Christians to emulate the attributes of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace and patience, which were the attributes and practices of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by his ministry on earth.
Aregbesola also called on Christians and all Nigerians alike to use the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration to pray for an end to all security challenges bedevilling every part of the country.
The Minister assured that the federal government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the recent attacks by undesirable elements on the highways, airport and the railway are timely brought to an end.
The statement added;
“Security is everybody’s business. I therefore urge Nigerians and foreigners resident in our country to display a high sense of citizenship and public spiritedness at this critical time in the history of our country, by supporting the efforts of all security agencies in bringing peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry”
Easter Sunday is fast approaching, marking the end of Holy Week for Christians around the world. Two significant dates associated with the religious holiday are Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Good Friday, which falls on Friday, April 15th, this year, is always celebrated on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary nearly 2,000 years ago. Many will observe the day by fasting and attending church services and reenactments.
Similarly the day after Easter Sunday, aka Easter Monday, which falls on Monday, April 18th, is seen by many as a day of remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Despite it’s importance to Christians around the U.S., Good Friday is not a federal holiday. This means that federal offices will remain open and federal employees will be working. The U.S. Post Office will be open, as will UPS and FedEx. Banks will be open but business hours may vary. Other services such as public libraries will also remain open along with major retailers, shops, convenience stores, pharmacies and food establishments.
Most public schools will remain open, however, Catholic schools and other religious institutions may close to observe the holy day. Some schools will also incorporate Good Friday into their spring break.
Meanwhile a human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has advocated public holiday for traditional worshippers across the country.
Falana stated that the traditionalists have constitutional provisions as other religions being practised in Nigeria.
The SAN disclosed this on Saturday during an orientation and inauguration programme of traditional worshipers under the aegis of ‘Ijo Babalawo Onifa of Egbaland’ held at the valley view Government House, Abeokuta.
Falana, who emphasised that traditional worshippers have the rights to a special day as public holiday, said, “Under the Nigerian constitution, particularly Section 38, there is freedom of religion of conscience.
“You have the right to worship God or not to worship God at all. You have the right to be a Christian, a Muslim or a Traditionalist. But whatever you do, you must respect the rights of other citizens in the country.
“By virtue of Section 10 of the constitution, the government shall not adopt any religion as official religion. So, the government is required to be neutral while recognising the rights of each individual to worship the God that they believe in.
“You are also entitled to pubic holidays just like those influenced by the Christians and Muslims.”
He, however, urged the traditionalists to instil respect by distancing themselves from criminal elements.
He said, “I have made it clear to the members of this organisation that, as a lawyer, our experience is that when armed robbery suspects are arrested, they claim that they have been fortified by some Babalawo.
“When you arrest a ritual murder suspect, he also claims he has a Babalawo behind him. Ditto for armed robbers and other criminal elements in the society.
“I am, therefore, challenging the members of this organisation to, as much as possible, distance themselves from such criminal elements. And that is the only way to be respected by the society and the government.
“In every Yoruba town, when a king is to be selected, Ifa is consulted. Therefore, you are occupying a prominent place in the society.
“I challenge the members of this organisation to try as much as possible to ensure that the name of this organisation is put in a respectable manner, so that the government and our people can respect all of you.
“It is when you have put yourself in that level that you can begin to make demands. It’s your right to make demands for public holidays.
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