The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 2, 2023, as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration in a statement on behalf of the federal government on Thursday, according to a statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade.

The minister assured Nigerians of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s continued commitment to tackling challenges facing the country.

The statement reads: “It is today a known fact that difficult socio-economic and security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not isolated.

“The Government is daily making efforts to confront these varied and numerous challenges with all the might available until respite comes our way,” the statement quoted him as saying.

“Our warm welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black Nation in the World being Africa’s pride and beacon of hope for the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“While wishing the citizens a memorable independence celebration, the Minister recalled that our founding fathers, despite the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, came together for Nigeria’s freedom which we enjoy today.

“The minister assured that this Administration through the Renew Hope Agenda will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past”.