Democracy Day: FG declares Monday public holiday

The Federal Government has declared June 13, as public holiday, to mark the 2022 Democracy Day celebration.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, made this known in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja.

Democracy Day, a public holiday to commemorate the restoration of democracy in Nigeria, which holds every June 12, until June 6, 2018, was held every May 29.

According to him, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerians on the occasion.

He urged all citizens to support the present administration in its efforts at ensuring a secured, united and prosperous nation.

Aregbesola, admonished Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the long journey the country has made towards the enthronement of a civil democratic order, before Independence till date and the sacrifices of the nation’s patriots.

He reminded Nigerians of the challenges the country had faced and overcome, including a civil war.

The minister said that any form of agitation that threatened the unity of the country should be shunned for the good of all.

Aregbesola added that the space known as Nigeria would be a haven of peace, unity and progress if all citizens love their neighbours and embrace the spirit of brotherliness.

“As we mark another democracy day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one united, secured, peaceful and an indivisible entity.

“No development can take place in an acrimonious environment.

“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down, but to break open; open up to ourselves in truth.

“So that we may appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity.”

The minister advised Nigerians to judiciously put into use the recently unveiled Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (N-Alert) Mobile App designed to mitigate security challenges and other disasters.

This, he said, has the slogan “See Something Do N-Alert”, in the usage of the Mobile App, which had been upgraded to meet with current challenges in the country.

He assured that with the concerted efforts being put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and stabilise the economy, the nation would continue to get better.

Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians to keep faith with democracy, that though it might not have brought our best expectations, we should keep at it, knowing that practice makes perfection.

“And the alternatives are far worse and have proved ruinous and disastrous to the nation, if our recent history is anything to go by.

“There will surely be light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.

The minister, however, wished all Nigerians a happy democracy day celebration.