By Duchess Ifeoluwa

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday and Thursday as public holidays to enable Muslim faithful across the country celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.

According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, declared the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

Tunji-Ojo said the declaration reflects the government’s respect for the faith, values and spiritual heritage of Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.

He urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for divine guidance, peace and prosperity for the country.

“Eid-ul-Adha is a festival of deep spiritual significance, grounded in the values of sacrifice, obedience to God and compassion for one’s fellow man,” the minister stated.

He also extended the Federal Government’s goodwill message to Muslim faithful at home and in the diaspora, wishing them a peaceful and spiritually fulfilling celebration.

The minister further expressed optimism that the lessons of the festival would inspire greater unity, tolerance and national cohesion among Nigerians.