The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18 public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced this on Tuesday in a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore.
While urging Christians to emulate the attributes of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace and patience, as exemplified by Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth, the minister also asked them to pray for an end to the insecurity bedevilling the country.
He assured all that the Federal Government would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the recent attacks by undesirable elements on the highways, airport and the railway are timely brought to an end.
The statement read in part, “Security is everybody’s business. I therefore urge Nigerians and foreigners resident in our country to display a high sense of citizenship and public spiritedness at this critical time in the history of our country by supporting the efforts of all security agencies in bringing peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry.
“While wishing Christians at home and in the Diaspora a happy and peaceful Easter celebration, we also call on Nigerians to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity for all.”
Ahead of the Easter holiday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it has deployed 1, 558 personnel to ensure adequate security of lives and property in Rivers State.
The NSCDC state command’s spokesman, Olufemi Ayodele, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt.
Ayodele said the tactical forces were drafted to the 23 local government areas of the state.
He said the state NSCDC commandant, Abu Tambuwal, while addressing officers and men, charged them to discharge their duties with utmost diligence, alertness and professionalism.
Also, the Edo State Command of NSCDC said it has deployed 850 personnel for the Easter celebration in the state.
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