FG Extends Public Holiday Following Confusion Over Sallah Day

FG Extends Public Holiday Following Confusion Over Sallah Day

The federal government on Tuesday declared Thursday as an additional public holiday following the confusion that greeted the non-sighting of the moon by relevant authorities and the subsequent extension of the Muslim Ramadan fast by a day.

The government had earlier declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays in hope that the fast would be ended on Monday and that the celebrations of the end of fast, eid-il-fitr would hold on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to Vanguard, interior minister, Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) while declaring the additional holiday on Tuesday stated that the announcement followed “the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon.”

A portion of the statement which was signed by the permanent secretary of the interior ministry, Bassey Akpanyung, read “In making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, urged Nigerians to use this period of sober reflections to ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence, while giving full support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation.

“The Honourable Minister wishes Nigerians a peaceful celebration”, said Akpanyung.