The Federal Government on Thursday declared December 25th and 26th as public holidays.

In a statement signed by the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, January 1 was also designated as a public holiday.

The public holidays are for the Christmas (December 25th), Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year (January 1st) celebrations.

According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, felicitates with “Christians and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on this year’s Christmas and New Year Celebrations.”

The Minister also “enjoined all Christians to live within the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ, which hinge on compassion, patience, peace, humility, righteousness and love for one another, adding that doing so would guarantee an atmosphere of peace and security in the country.”

Aregbesola stated that the determination of Government towards ensuring an atmosphere of peace and security would engender Foreign Direct Investment thereby, revitalizing the economy and improving employment opportunities for the teeming youths in the country.

He expressed confidence that 2020 would be a breakthrough year for all Nigerians assuring that the Federal Government under the visionary leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari would make life more meaningful for all Nigerians.

The Minister urged Christians to use the period to pray for Nigeria and admonished all citizens to remain focused, determined and to continue to persist in displaying love for one another with patience and perseverance.

The current security challenges he said would be overcome only “with love for one another, hard work, selfless service, patience and patriotism, Nigeria will sooner than later join the league of developed nations.”