The Federal Government has declared Monday, December 26 and Tuesday, December 27, 2016 as well as Monday, January 2, 2017, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and 2017 New Year celebrations respectively.
The Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday in Abuja.
He urged Christians and Nigerians in general to remain committed and supportive of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari “in his sustained efforts towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.”
The minister, in a statement by the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity and peaceful co-existence across the country.
“The minister wishes Nigerians at home and abroad a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year 2017,” the statement said.
