The federal government has announced Monday, October 3, 2022, as public holiday for citizens to observe the nation’s 62 Independence Day Celebration.

The announcement was made by Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, on behalf of the federal government while congratulating all Nigerians ahead of the celebration.

In a statement signed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuab Belgore, the minister was quoted as assuring Nigerians that the government is committed to tackling and eliminating the various challenges facing the nation, ranging from socio-economic, political, and others.

“The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation, the statement reads. “However, I am assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at our disposal until respite comes our way.”

Mr Aregbesola reiterated the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country if citizens continue to work hard with togetherness as a nation.

He said, “Our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope. If we can rally ourselves together to harness our potential, we shall be the greatest nation on the earth.”

The minister emphasised the necessity of celebrating Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary stating that President Muhammadu Buhari holds the safety of all citizens as its utmost priority.

“A country of over 200 million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are; Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in academia, science and technology, business, innovation, music, entertainment, fashion or culture,” he added.

Mr Aregbesola urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to think about the challenges facing the nation and think about the individual roles everyone can play in solving them.

He advised Nigerians to shun any means of getting rich through criminal and other illegal means saying only through productivity can an individual and the nation create wealth and get rich.

While wishing Nigerians a memorable independence celebration, he reminded citizens of the fact that the nation’s founding fathers despite their different ideologies, tribe, faith and tongue still formed a united alliance for Nigeria’s independence.

“Though our nation is going through challenges, especially on security, these challenges are temporary and do not define us. We are defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people in our diversity, strength, ingenuity and resilience.

“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the most high for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today,” he stated.

The minister further urged Nigerians to shun violence and stay security conscious while tasking them to report any suspicious person or activity around their respected vicinities using the N- alert application on android and iOS and through the nearest security agency, “When you see something do N-Alert for a prompt response from security agents” the minister added.