The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Wednesday, 27th September 2023 (Tomorrow) as a public holiday.
This is to commemorate the Eid-ul-Maulid celebration, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), according to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
While making the declaration in Abuja on Monday, he congratulated all Muslim faithful both at home and in the diaspora for this year’s occasion.
‘His admonition to Nigerians is to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified,’ the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Oluwatoyin Akinlade said in a statement which was obtained by Africa Today News, New York.
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‘The Honorable Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has urged Nigerians, especially our youths, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class, and ethnicity, and join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led-Administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable Nation that all citizens will be proud of. The Minister wishes all Muslim Faithfuls a joyful celebration.’
In another report, Zoleka Mandela, the granddaughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, the late Nelson Mandela, has tragically passed away at 43 after battling metastatic cancer.
She was admitted to the hospital last Monday for treatment but succumbed to the disease on the eve of her grandmother’s birthday, surrounded by loved ones and friends.
In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, a family spokesperson confirmed her passing on Monday evening.
Zoleka had gained recognition in recent years for bravely sharing her journey through cancer treatment and openly discussing her struggles with drug addiction, depression, and childhood sexual abuse. She penned her remarkable story in an autobiography titled “When Hope Whispers.”
More than a decade ago, Zoleka faced a breast cancer diagnosis, underwent treatment, and achieved remission. Unfortunately, the cancer returned, affecting her liver and lungs last year before spreading to other organs. She remained optimistic, even while dealing with blood clots and fibrosis in her lungs, expressing gratitude for continued treatment options just days before her passing.