The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 25 and Monday, March 28 as public holidays to mark the Good Friday and Easter celebrations respectively.
Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), made the declaration in a statement by the acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido on Tuesday in Abuja.
The minister urged Christians and Nigerians in general to support and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation.
He further urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the nation.
While wishing Nigerians and Christians the world over happy celebrations, Dambazau also reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to the change agenda in the country.
Meanwhile, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, has directed the deployment of 25,000 personnel nationwide to beef up security during the Easter celebration.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the corps Spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Okeh.
It said the commandant-general charged the personnel of the corps deployed for the special operations to work in collaboration with other agencies to protect lives and property.
It said ambulances and mobile surveillance vehicles would be stationed at strategic locations across the country to monitor activities in public places.
The statement said the corps helmsman enjoined Nigerians to be law abiding and security conscious at all times particularly during the festivities.
It said Muhammadu appealed to motorists to cooperate with the NSCDC personnel on duty during the period, to avert incidences of crashes on the roads.
It said the commandant-general, in his Easter message, also called on Christians to emulate the exemplary life of Jesus Christ who gave his life to save mankind.
