The federal government has declared October 2 a public holiday to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.

The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement yesterday congratulated Nigerians ahead of the celebration while acknowledging the socio-economic hardship facing Nigerians, the minister assured citizens of the government’s commitment to tackling the issues. “It is a known fact that difficult Socio-Economic and Security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not isolated,” the statement reads.

“Our warm welcoming spirit and love, as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, make Nigeria unarguably the leading black Nation in the world being Africa’s pride and a beacon of hope.

The minister recalled that “our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe, and tongue, came together for Nigeria’s freedom which we enjoy today”.

He said the current administration, through the “Renewed Hope Agenda”, would ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens “as a befitting tribute to our heroes past”.