The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an additional public holiday.
This decision was disclosed through a statement issued by Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, on Tuesday.
The announcement, which was shared via the ministry’s official communication channel, highlighted the importance of recognizing Eid-El-Fitr and providing an opportunity for citizens to commemorate the religious occasion.
The statement said, “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 a 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.”
Leader of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Monday 8th April had said the crescent of Shawwal was not sighted, indicating that the Ramadan fasting would continue on Tuesday 9th April to complete 30.
He also added that the Eid-El-Fitr celebration would hold on Wednesday 10th April being 1st April to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.
It would be recalled that earlier on Sunday 7th April the Nigerian government declared Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, 2024, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration
Also, on Monday, His eminence Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and President General Nigeria Supreme council for Islamic affairs (NSCIA) declared Wednesday the 10th of April 2024 as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH (Eid el Fitr Day) as moon is not sighted anywhere in Nigeria.
Sultan made the statement shortly after receiving the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee in Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee.
The committee in their report stated that it had not received any report from various moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1445AH on Monday 8th April 2024 which was the 30th day of Ramadan 1445AH.
