WEDNESDAY WILL BE A DAY OFF FOR HIJRA, ACCORDING TO KWARA GOV.

Tunji Wusu –

The state of Kwara’s governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the observance of every Muharram 1 as a day off from work, fulfilling a long-held desire of the state’s Muslim population.
“The Governor has carefully taken into account the repeated pleas from various state constituencies. He has consequently given his approval for Kwara State to commemorate the day as a work-free day going forward (each year), as is possible in many other states across the nation. As a result, the state shall observe Wednesday, July 19, 2023, which is equivalent to the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar (Muharram 1445), as a public holiday, according to a statement released by Government House on Tuesday.

“According to history, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, left his native Mecca on the first of Muharram in quest of a peaceful environment in which to practice Islam. This makes me realize how important it is for everyone to learn the virtues of compassion, tolerance, perseverance, and patience.

“The Governor extends his congratulations to the Muslim community on the occasion of Hijrah 1445, the beginning of a new lunar calendar, and he encourages everyone to think on its meaning in the hopes that we would be guided by its lessons and significance in our daily lives and interactions with others. He advocates for compassion, respect, and tolerance for all people, regardless of their religious convictions.

“Another vessel, MT DEIMA, carrying 1500 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, was apprehended and burned ablaze in the Warri Escravos river in October 2022.

The well-endowed ecosystem of the Niger Delta region would be further destroyed by setting stolen crude oil-laden vessels fire, he warned, adding that this will “ultimately further affect the livelihood and the overall wellbeing of the people of the area.”