BREAKING: FG declares May 2, 3 public holidays

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

He congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore said Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice.

The Minister said their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

According to the Minister, “Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working.”

Aregbesola enjoined workers to imbibe the culture of productivity.

He said: “The end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is therefore the path to national and individual prosperity”

He urged workers to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation.

The Minister also congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Aregbesola called on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

“The self-restrain, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper,” the Minister noted.

He expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round.