The Federal Government has declared Monday a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration in commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made this declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslims for witnessing this year’s occasion.

Aregbesola, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, on Thursday admonished Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues which Prophet Muhammad exemplified, adding that doing so would guarantee peace, security and harmony in the country.

The statement read in part “Aregbesola enjoins Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness and other acts of criminality.

“As the indisputable leader of our race, we must demonstrate responsible leadership in Africa.”