For the 62nd anniversary of the nation’s independence, on Monday, October 3, 2022, a public holiday has been announced by the federal government.
On behalf of the Federal Government, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, made the announcement.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the minister expressed his congratulations to all Nigerians on the occasion and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to overcoming the country’s problems and bringing happiness to all its citizens.
“The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation. However, I am assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at our disposal until respite comes our way”, the Minister said.
Aregbesola reaffirmed Nigeria’s preeminent position in the world community and the greatness that awaits the nation if Nigerians put in significant effort as a people.
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“Our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, make Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope. If we can rally ourselves together to harness our potentials, we shall be the greatest nation on the earth.
“A country of over 200 million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are; Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in the academia, science and technology, business, innovation, music, entertainment, fashion or culture” Aregbesola said.
The Minister urged Nigerians to utilize the event as an opportunity to consider the problems the country is currently facing and what part they may play in solving them.
He advised Nigerians to put in a lot of effort and avoid any temptation to become wealthy by illegal or other immoral ways, noting that productivity is the only way for an individual or a country to produce wealth and become wealthy.
He wished Nigerians a memorable independence day and recalled that despite their differences in language, ethnicity, and religion, Nigeria’s founding fathers still worked together to achieve the country’s freedom.
“Though our nation is going through challenges, especially on security, these challenges are temporary and do not define us. We are defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people in our diversity, strength, ingenuity and resilience.
“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the most high for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today”, he stated.
In order to achieve a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad, he therefore urged all Nigerians to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration. He claimed that doing so would be a proper tribute to our departed heroes.
The Minister advised Nigerians to abstain from all forms of violence and practice security awareness, advising them to report any suspicious people or activities to the local security agency as well as through the N-Alert app for Android and iOS.
“When you see something do N-Alert for prompt response from security agents”, he charged.
