As part of activities marking this’ year Democracy Day, the federal government has declared Monday, June 13 as a public holiday.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration while congratulating 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 advised Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the long journey the country has made towards the enthronement of a civil democratic order, before national Independence in 1960 till date and the sacrifices of our patriots.
He reminded Nigerians of the challenges the country has faced and overcome, including a civil war, saying that any form of agitation that threatens the unity of the country should be shunned for the good of all.
He said Nigeria would be a haven of peace, unity and progress if all citizens love their neighbours and embrace the spirit of brotherliness.
According to the Minister, “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,” noting that, “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,” Aregbesola said.
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 with the slogan, “See Something Do N-Alert”, in the usage of the Mobile App, which has been upgraded to meet with current challenges in the country.
He assured that with the concerted efforts being put in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration 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, saying, “although it might not have brought our best expectations, we should keep at it, knowing that practice makes perfect, and the alternatives are far worse and have proved ruinous and disastrous to the nation, if our recent history is anything to go by.”
