By Ken Afor
The Federal Government has extended this year’s Eid-El-Fitr holiday to Thursday, April 11, 2024.
The New Diplomat reports that the government had earlier declared Tuesday, April 9th, and Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, as Public Holidays to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
However, the holiday was extended to Thursday following the announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, declaring Wednesday, April 10th, as the day for Eid-Fitri.
According to His Eminence, in a statement on Monday, the crescent of Shawwal has not been sighted by the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, indicating that the fasting will continue on Tuesday and Eid-el-Fitr will be on Wednesday.
Given the new development, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, approved Thursday, April 11th, 2024, as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr.
The Minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation, reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.