The Nation Newspaper

Tag: public holiday

  • Islamic New Year: Kano declares Friday public holiday

    Islamic New Year: Kano declares Friday public holiday

    The Kano State Government has declared Friday, Sept. 22, as public holiday to mark the new Islamic year.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba and issued to newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

    The Islamic New Year, which is first month in the lunar Islamic calendar, coincides with activities marking the nation’s 57th anniversary celebration.

    Garba quoted the acting governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar as congratulating the people of the state and Muslims the world over, for witnessing the new year.

    He said Abubakar had appealed to Kano citizens to utilise the public holiday to offer prayers for peace and prosperity of the country.

    He said the the acting governor had reassured the people of the state government’s determination to work hard towards improving their living standards.

    He also called on Nigerians to join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination to build a peaceful and harmonious country.

    NAN reports that Friday, Sept. 22, is the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calender and it marks the beginning of the new Islamic year 1439 after Hijra.

  • Fayose declares today public holiday

    Fayose declares today public holiday

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has declared today a public holiday in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

    Other Southwest governors have declared today a public holiday to mark the day in remembrance of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, adjudged the freest and best in Nigeria.

    In a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Fayose said he took the decision “in the spirit of Yoruba nation and Southwest integration”.

    He said: “The Yoruba nation’s interest is beyond personal interest of anyone. For us to forge ahead as a people, we must speak with one voice.

    “In the light of this, I declare Monday (today) a public holiday to further strengthen our collective belief, hope and aspirations.”

  • Lagos declares June 12 public holiday

    Lagos declares June 12 public holiday

    …Says State Remains Committed To Ideals Of The Annulled Elections

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday declared Monday public holiday to mark June 12 celebration in the State, saying that the State remains committed to the ideals of the annulled 1993 Presidential election.

    In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello on behalf of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the government said the holiday was in honour of the ideals which June 12, 1993 Presidential election represents being a day that the country experienced an election that was adjudged as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.

    The Governor said 24 years after, the ideals of June 12 commemoration were worth celebrating, describing the day as one of the most defining moments of the country’s political history which has positively shaped its democratic rule.

    Governor Ambode said the time has come for Nigerians to go beyond the commemoration and entrench a viable democracy as a way to immortalise the late presumed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola through the practice of true federalism and conduct of credible and fair elections.

    He said: “June 12, 1993 is a day we must not forget in the annals of our democratic history. Our present democratic experience may still be far from the ideal but we must all make concerted efforts to entrench fiscal federalism which is the only way to achieve true nationhood.”

    Continuing, Governor Ambode said part of the enduring lessons of June 12 election is that it imbued the patriotic and nationalistic zeal in all Nigerians to speak with one voice to make a political choice devoid of ethnic, racial or social sentiments.

    “On June 12, 1993, majority of Nigerians across all divides demonstrated through the ballot box that irrespective of class or ethnic sympathies, the Nigerian people are united and would always join hands to promote our unifying values,” he said.

    Governor Ambode said though the peoples’ hope was dashed with the annulment of the elections by the military junta, the lessons of the elections cannot be wished away despite subterranean efforts by many to do, describing June 12 as the real Democracy Day in Nigeria.

    “We owe it a duty to genuinely immortalize the fallen heroes of the June 12 struggle nationally and deepen our democratic values to ensure that never again will such anti-people action be allowed to take place”.

    He also assured that his administration remains committed to the ideals of June 12 by carrying out people-oriented programmes across the State and making life more comfortable for the people.

    Meanwhile, the State Government, through the office of Civic Engagement, has perfected arrangement for the annual public symposium which will hold at the De Roof, LTV 8 in Ikeja, to celebrate June 12.

  • Ogun declares June 12 public holiday

    Ogun declares June 12 public holiday

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun has declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work free day as a way of identifying with and keeping the ideals of June 12 alive in Ogun State.

    The annual holiday is in honour of the late illustrious son of the state, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election, which marked a unique watershed in Nigeria’s democratic development.

    This year’s celebration will feature the annual “Democracy Walk”, which will be led by the governor, starting from the JUNE 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7am.

    The walk is expected to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola family homestead, at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where special prayers and speeches will be made.

    Later in the day, an inspirational stage play, “Oju Kelekun” (farewell to reproach), directed by Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, will be performed at the June 12 Cultural Centre, between 3:45 and 6:00pm.

    According to the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, all government functionaries, activists, civil society organisations, democracy volunteers, civil servants, labour/trade unions, students, market women/men and other stakeholders are expected to participate in the events, designed to further draw awareness to the continued relevance of June 12.

     

  • Akeredolu declares June 12 as Public Holiday

    Akeredolu declares June 12 as Public Holiday

    Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has directed that Monday, June 12, 2017, be declared as a work free day in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, Governor Akeredolu said the late Abiola’s supreme sacrifice culminated in the hurried departure of the military from the political scene in 1999.

    As part of the programmes lined up to celebrate the day, the government is organizing a lecture, with the theme: “June 12: A celebration of courage and resilience’.

    The event will hold at the International Events and Culture Centre (The Dome) in Akure.
    Eminent Nigerians, including notable activists are lined up to grace the event. Hon. Wale Oshun is chairman of the occassion, while human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, will be the guest speaker.

    Akeredolu asked politicians across the country to always demonstrate their unquenchable love for the country.

  • June 12 now public holiday in Ondo

    June 12 now public holiday in Ondo

    June 12 has become a work-free day in Ondo State under the present administration, in honour of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola.
    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who spoke yesterday in Akure at an event to mark the 2017 Democracy day, described Abiola as the father of democracy.
    He said the state would continue to celebrate him even in death, “for paying the price of democracy we are enjoying today.”

  • Democracy day: FG declares Monday Public holiday

    Democracy day: FG declares Monday Public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 29, as Public Holiday to celebrate the 2017 Democracy Day.
    Making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (rtd) congratulated Nigerians for witnessing yet another Democracy Day, which marks the Second Year Anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government.
    According to a statement issued by the Director Overseeing the Office of the  Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, the minister assured Nigerians of government’s continued efforts towards guaranteeing security, revitalizing the economy and tackling corruption, which are the three main focused areas of this administration.
    His words: “While a lot has been achieved in the area of security, particularly in the northeast, and in tackling corruption, recent statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics have shown tremendous improvement of the country’s GDP.
    “No doubt the nation is closer to getting out of recession, particularly with the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which seeks to revitalize the nation’s economy soonest. With the recently signed Executive Orders on Ease of Doing Business, we have opened our doors wider for both domestic and foreign investors.”
    He enjoined all to join hands with the Government of President Buhari in his sustained efforts in building a peaceful and enduring democratic legacy.
    The minister wished all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration.
  • Voters Registration: Umahi declares two days public holiday 

    Voters Registration: Umahi declares two days public holiday 

     Ebonyi state  plans to declare a two days public holiday in the state next week to enable residents to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Exercise.
    The exercise is expected to commence Thursday (today) across the country.
    The State Governor, David Umahi gave the hint in Abakaliki after swearing in members of the state’s Law Review Committee.
    Speaking on the importance of the exercise Governor Umahi emphasized that for the political future of the state to be guaranteed, there was the need for eligible residents to obtain their voter cards.
    Chief Umahi noted that there would be a stakeholders meeting to strategize on how the state government would liaise with INEC for a smooth exercise.
    Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has called on eligible voters in Ebonyi State to avail themselves of the opportunity provided in the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise to update their data ahead of the 2019 General Election.
    The Head of INEC in the State, Mr. Charles Mbanaja made the call in Abakaliki at a press briefing to announce the commencement of the Exercise in the state
    The Continuous Voter Registration exercise is targeted at prospective voters who turned eighteen after last General Election, eligible voters who lost their cards and those who wish to transfer their registration status.
    Mr Mbanaja explained that INEC had adequately prepared for the exercise and enjoined Community Leaders and the state government to mobilize qualified persons to key into the event.
    He pointed out that the exercise would hold from 9 o’ clock in the morning to 3 o’clock in the afternoon every day in the thirteen Council Headquarters of the state.
  • Traditionalists crave public holiday at Ifa festival

    Traditionalists crave public holiday at Ifa festival

    The rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba was on display at this year’s Ifa Festival held in Sango Ota, Ogun State, report ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA AND IBRAHIM YUSUFF.

    For Ifa worshippers, it was an opportunity to show the stuff they are made of and also make a case for a public holiday. Dressed in colourful traditional attires, they performed all kinds of stunts and rituals to add colour to their 17th Ifa Festival held in Sango-Ota, Ogun State in the country.
    President of Ifa Olokun Foundation Dr Ifakayode Faluade and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi led the campaign for public holiday.
    They also appealed to all tiers of government to preserve the nation’s cultural deposits and suggested that traditional religion be accorded equal status with Christianity and Islam.
    Other eminent, including the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka; a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Dr Fafolarin Agboola, and German tourist, Michael Ehrenberg, among others supported them.
    Oba Adeyemi said Ifa culture does not only exist in Nigeria but also in other parts of the world. “Ifa has been globalised. There is no place you will go to in the world that you will not meet Ifa. Therefore, we could go back and retrace our steps to our cultural heritage as Africans, I believe everything will be fine for us,” he insisted.
    Faluade condemned the neglect of traditional religious practices and inadequate promotion of the nation’s culture by the governments, while linking most of the socio-cultural problems to the neglect of cultural values.
    “Governments need to play active role in promoting the elevation of our culture, especially traditional religion. They have neglected it in preference for Christianity and Islam and this does not amount to equality. I’m calling on them to also give public holidays to traditional worshippers to celebrate our culture like other religions”, Faluade.
    Faluade, however, debunked certain misconceptions about Ifa alongside some other deities in the Yoruba culture. He noted that the traditional religion, Islam and Christianity share some similarities.
    He said: “Ifa does not go against any religion. We the Ifa preachers are ready to relate and work with members of any religion or groups. There are many similarities between Ifa and Islam and Christianity. Both Muslim and Christians make sacrifices to God. The issue of ebo (sacrifice) is not peculiar to traditional worshippers alone. The ebo we make in the traditional religion also exists in Islam and Christianity. For instance, the killing of goats during Muslim festivals is also a way of sacrifice to God.”
    The paramount ruler, who was represented by his daughter Princess Folashade Adeyeye, also sought a rebranding of traditional culture to entice more people, particularly the educated.
    “We need to encourage our youths to embrace their cultural heritage. One of the reasons why many people are not attracted to traditional culture has been the manner it was presented in the past. But now, we need to represent and repackaged to make it more appealing to people. Organising lectures, seminars exhibitions, and cultural awareness such as this will go a long way in addressing the cultural gaps,” he advised.
    Oba Agbabiaka frowned that traditional religion is being abandoned by the authorities with preference for ‘imported’ religions.
    The monarch described Ifa as a ‘source of knowledge’ and a deity with which ‘mankind can ascertain his or her source of problems’ and how to find permanent solutions to them.
    Ehrenberg, a German tourist, noted that the infiltration of the Western culture caused the erosion of African culture. Ehrenberg, who said he was in Nigeria to acquaint himself with the culture of the southwest, urged governments to support campaign by individual and groups such as Ifa Olokun Foundation at promoting the culture of every tribe nationwide.
    In his word, Agboola urged the entire black race to imbibe the “Ifa” deity, saying it is the pathway to success and progress of the black continent.
    He blamed most parents for their inability to communicate with their children in local dialect, saying this has also led to decline and gradual extinction of the nation’s values.
    Agboola, who is the chairman of African Cultural Heritage Group, recommended that universities nationwide should run a programme in ‘African Cultural Studies’ in order to promote re-establish a sense of belonging among Africans and others.
    “Let me also correct the misconception about Ifa deity, it is not against any other religion or politics. Just as politicians consult Islamic and Christian clerics before elections, so does the Ifa priest. There is nothing evil about Ifa. It is the local type of science, used for knowledge and does the same job as the computer.
    “If our leaders have been honest and listen to predictions from Ifa, this country would have been greater. So I’m urging our youths to disregard insinuations and embrace our culture so that it does not perish.”
    Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Faluade praised Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola for supporting traditional religion worshippers and granting them public holiday during their festive period.

  • Edo declares public holiday for Oba’s coronation

    Edo declares public holiday for Oba’s coronation

    The Edo State government has declared tomorrow a public holiday.

    An announcement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Julius Ihonvbere, said the public holiday was in honour of the Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, the Edaiken N’Uselu, whose coronation as the oba of Benin will hold same day.

    The public holiday, the government said, would ensure a hitch-free ceremony and give Edo residents the opportunity to partake in the historic installation of the oba.