The Federal Government has declared Thursday, the 25th and Friday, 26th December, 2014, as public holidays to mark the Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro and made available to National Mirror.

The statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Engineer Abubakar Magaji, equally said that government has declared Thursday January 1, 2015 as a public holiday to mark the New Year.

In the statement, the Federal Government enjoined all Christian faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Christmas, which are love, peace, justice, kindness to their daily living and through this contribute to the development of the nation.

Moro further urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the country even as he wished Christians a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year celebrations.