Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2020 as public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day. On June 10, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Public Holiday Amendment Act, declaring June 12 of every year a public holiday and Democracy Day.
In his speech to mark the Democracy Day in June 12, 2019, he said: “As we all know, correcting injustice is a pre-requisite for peace and unity. “As part of the process of healing and reconciliation, I approved the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day and invested the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe with National Honours, as I did with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
“The purpose was to partially atone for the previous damage done in annulling the Presidential elections of that year. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola made the declaration of this year’s Democracy Day’s holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Georgina Ehuriah, on Monday.
Aregbesola, in the statement, congratulated all Nigerians at home and abroad for the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country. He commended the heroes of democracy for their dogged determination and sacrifice which eventually birthed democratic governance in Nigeria.
Aregbesola called on all Nigerians to continue to cherish the selfless efforts of the heroes and collaborate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to ensure the realization of the democratic ideals “which these Patriots fought for, even at the cost of their lives.
” The Minister reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to battling the scourge of COVID-19 with the cooperation of all Nigerians. He advised citizens to take responsibility for stopping the spread of the virus by observing physical and social distancing, personal and respiratory hygiene, as well as other regulations issued by relevant authorities
