The Federal Government declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to celebrate workers’ day and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations respectively. However, workers in Lagos State were confused as they had thought Wednesday was also added as Public Holiday.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government via a statement signed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola declared only Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd of May as public holidays to make the two events.
However, another statement emerged allegedly from the Lagos State Government declaring Monday 2, Tuesday 3, and Wednesday 4 of May as public holidays. The statement dated 27th of April and titled, “Year 2022 Workers’ Day celebration/Id-el-Fitr Public Holidays” is signed by Hakeem Muri-Okunnola, Head of Service.
What is the confusion about?
- One reason for the confusion is the number of declared days for the public holidays. While the FG declared Monday and Tuesday, the purported statement by the Lagos State government declared Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, demanding for workers to resume work on Thursday, 5th of May.
- A second reason for the confusion is that the statement, although appearing on a few blogs and social media platforms, has not been seen in either the official social media handles of the Lagos State government or its officials, including that of the Head of Service, Muri-Okunola who allegedly sign the circular.
What they are saying
Many Lagosians like to use the holiday period to travel to their original state of origin to be with their loved ones after a long stay in the commercial city. Others take the time to relax at home or to engage in leisure activities. But as of this moment, many are unsure if to make their holiday plans to include Wednesday or not.
Eunice Irabor, a customer service personnel with one of the major banks told Nairametrics that she is hoping to use the opportunity to travel to Benin, Edo State to see her parents and so would be nice for her to know the number of days she has off to adequately make her plans.
“I hope to leave Lagos by Saturday morning for Benin, but with the confusion, I’m not sure yet when to arrange for departure. Whether Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the extension of the holiday,” Irabor said.
A popular influencer tweeted “So did we dream that Wednesday was going to be a public holiday? Or was the initial announcement just for Lagos State.”
So did we dream that Wednesday was going to be a public holiday ? Or was the initial announcement just for Lagos state ?
— Ebele (@ebelee_) April 28, 2022
Tunji Oyedeji, another Lagosian said he would love more holiday days so he can have more time to spend with his wife and kids.
“I leave for work very early in the morning and return quite late when my kids are almost going to bed. More days for me would give me more time to spend quality time with my family. Hopefully, take them out to one of these amusement parks cos they have always wanted that. I will like to know how to plan myself,” he said.
Others confused begged that Wednesday should have been included in the days for public holidays.
The public holiday should have been Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) April 28, 2022
I think this write up confused me more. What are we saying here? I thought neither Lagos govt nor FG had Thursday in their public holidays declaration, so where is your news talking about Thursday?
That as it may, Lagos state government has it’s rights and powers to declare additional public holidays in its state where by FG declaration is only binding on non-Lagos govt workers. So for me, no confusion.
Thursday was never declared a public holiday. The issue is with Wednesday not being a holiday. Even Google calendar shows Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays.
That’s the bone of contention.
My take on this is that we have too many holidays in Nigeria. I remember Snatch era. Off festival falls in there weekend, that the holiday you can get. We should reduce the number of holidays.
I remember a year Eid and Christmas fell on the same day. The FG did not declare any extra day. Both ran concurrently.
Of course, Nigeria is full of confusion. Everything in this country has a form of mistake even the very leaders who are supposed to be in authority are in power, that is a mistake causing confusion. They are supposed to serve the people but they are the one serving them ( mistake and confusion) Strike has lingered for months without a word from the so-called government ( mistake and confusion). All their ambition is to grab ever little opportunity they have to embezzle our money. As they are moving from place to place now seeking for support, once they are declared winners, they will boldly say to the public that we didn’t vote for them. So even the idea of INEC is a big mistake in Nigeria because they rigged elections themselves because of money.
They are busy decamping from one party to the other yet still them them and we are happy that they will do well ( still same person with Same character and so, the same mistake)….
….“I hope to leave Lagos by Saturday morning for Benin, but”….. with the kidnappings on the roads, you had better think twice
Abegi leave stone, chop rice…
Over 200 million Nigerians living in Nigeria have NOT been kidnapped. Your mindset would be akin to living in the US, and refusing to go outside because you might get shot.
. . . But this time we are talking of Eid and worker’s day celebration, which one is more better ? I think is Eid. So the government should have spread. May day from Eid celebration. Because Holy month of Ramadan need to be celebrated by our muslem brothers pls.
Abegi, where’s the alleged “confusion”?
In a federation, the FG and LASG are DIFFERENT governments. LASG is not a sub or branch of the FG, and thus can declare its own public holidays.
FG workers get benefit of the federal holidays, while state workers get benefit of the state holidays. Private workers in Lagos get BOTH holidays.
Not good!
Masses has planned base on the Monday – Wednesday Holiday, can’t we simply allow workers relax and Muslims celebrate properly?
How much will the country loss compare to the health of the laborers.
FG, SHOULD HAVE A RETHINK PLS.
Declaration of public holidays is not within the “exclusive power” of the federal government. As a federation, each state has authority to declare it’s public holidays. I expected those who clamour for “true federalism” to tell Abuja to stop imposing holidays. However, religion, being a sensitive issue, should be handle with wisdom, when it comes to declaration of such holidays by state governments.
But the moon is yet to be sighted.
Nonesense, what is the controversy or confusion here? If Lagos State declared 10 days, go ahead and if federal government declares 5days, those states outside Lagos will enjoy 5days unless their own states decide to deviate from the FGN declaration. Nigerians are gullible type of people who always want to use religion to cause unrest. Whatever, 1st May is on a Sunday and labour has agreed to use Sunday as its celebration day in order to let sleeping dog lie.and put trouble makers to shame.
It will benideal to declare Wednesday as public holiday, otherwise workers or labour have suffered their celebration and ceremony this year. May 1st is a public holiday and should not the mix up with the sallah holiday. Since the moon has identified Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday should ultimately become the May 1 workers’ day celebration.