Hijrah: Osun, Kano Govt Declare Monday Public Holiday

The Osun State government has declared Monday, August 9, a public holiday to commemorate the Islamic new year — Hijrah 1443 AH.

The state governor, Gboyega Oyetola announced the holiday in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Tajudeen Lawal, on Friday in Osogbo.

The governor enjoined both Muslims and adherents of other religions to use the holiday to pray for the growth and development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Naija News reports that Hijrah is the first day in the Islamic New Year calendar and it is celebrated by Muslims all over the world.

In a related development, the Kano State Government has declared August 9, 2021, as a work-free day to mark the Hijrah 1443 (Islamic New Year).

In a statement released by the state Commissioner of Information, Muhammed Garba, on Friday in Kano, the government declared the holiday to pray against insecurity.

He said that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has urged all residents to utilise the day and pray for the state and the country at large.

“The Governor urged workers to use the work-free day to pray for the country to be delivered from the prevailing security challenges,” the statement said.

Ganduje, according to the statement, also congratulated Muslims on the dawn of the new Islamic year (1443AH), saying that it calls for thanksgiving and sober reflection.

The statement further appealed for the support and cooperation of the people, as the government strives hard to improve their lives in the face of challenges facing the nation.