Due to the change of date in the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, on Tuesday, the Federal Government (FG) declared Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an additional public holiday to commemorate Eid-el-Fitr.
The additional holiday was made known in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, shared on the ministry’s X account on Tuesday.
In the statement, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, congratulated Muslim faithfuls for the completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting.
He further reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to a better Nigeria for all.
The statement reads, “The Federal Government has approved Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for the successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation, reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.”
Recall that the Federal Government on Sunday declared Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, 2024, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration with the hope that the fasting will end on Monday while the Eid-el-Fitr celebration will commence on Tuesday.
However, News About Nigeria reported that Saudi Arabia, on Monday, said the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted, indicating that the fasting will continue on Tuesday.
It also added that Eid-el-Fitr would be held on Wednesday, April 10, to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.
Following the declaration from Saudi Arabia, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also declared Wednesday, April 10th, as the day for Eid-Fitri.
The change in date, according to him, was because of the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed that the moon has not been sighted.
