Eid-El-Fitr: Tinubu tasks Muslims on nation-building as FG extends public holiday to Thursday
By Ukpono Ukpong
President Bola Tinubu has felicitated Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan.
The Eid-el-Fitr is a hallowed season which reflects total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President called on all Nigerians to join hands and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation.
“The President greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah.”
As he emphasized during an iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, President Tinubu appeals to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation, stating: “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire”.
He further prayed that the lessons, blessings, and the joys of this season abide with us always while wishing Nigerians, Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
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Meanwhile the Federal Government has extended the public holiday for the Eid-El-Fitr celebration to Thursday.
On Sunday, it had declared a two-day holiday – Tuesday and Wednesday – for the festivities.
However, the crescent moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, meaning the Eid celebration will take place on Wednesday. This prompted the Federal Government to add an extra day to the already-declared public holiday.
“The Federal Government has approved Thursday 11th April 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr,” the Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said in an early Tuesday statement.
“The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.”
On Tuesday, the Haramain on its official X handle said the crescent moon which signals the end of the Holy month of Ramadan was not sighted in Saudi Arabia.
“The crescent moon was NOT sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 10th April 2024,” the tweet read.
“It’s difficult to sight the Shawwal crescent due to the clouds,” the observer of the crescent Abdullah Al-Khudairi said in another post.
Later on, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Wednesday, April 10th, as the day for Eid-Fitri.
He said the declaration followed the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country that confirmed that the moon has not been sighted.
“His Eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings,” the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council Sambo Junaidu said.
“The Sultan, while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress, and development of the country, also wishes all Muslims a happy Eid-El-Fitri.”
