The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, 25th, Wednesday 26th December 2018 and Tuesday 1st January 2019 as Public Holidays to celebrate the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Celebrations respectively.
Daily Trust reports that the minister of interior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, declared this on Wednesday, December 19 in a statement signed by the ministry’s director of press, Mohammed Manga.
He called on all Christians faithful and Nigerians to use the period to pray for the growth and development of the nation.
He further called on Nigerians in the spirit of the season to strengthen their resolve to maintain peace and unity in the country before, during and after the general elections.
Dambazau “urged all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to support the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination and sustained efforts towards a peaceful, united and virile nation.”
Meanwhile, Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, has ordered the immediate payment of December salaries for workers in the state.
The governor in a statement sent to Legit.ng by his spokesman, Terver Akase, directed the state Ministry of Finance to ensure workers are paid their wages and entitlements from Wednesday, December 19.
The governor further directed that officials of government who prepare payment vouchers should put in extra effort, “even if it means working all night, to see that workers receive their wages with effect from Wednesday this week.”
He emphasized that the directive is to enable the workers celebrate Christmas, as he earlier promised them.
Governor Ortom, however, warned that any official who flouts the directive will be sanctioned
He reaffirmed his commitment to the monthly payment of salaries as he has done since the beginning of the year, assuring the workers that the arrears of their salaries will be paid as soon as his administration is able to access the required funds.