Friday, September 5, 2025, has been declared a public holiday to mark the 2025 Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration, commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo declared this on behalf on the Federal Government on Wednesday in Abuja, by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
Tunji-Ojo congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the world on the occasion.
The Minister urged them to reflect on the virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
According to him, these values remain essential in building a united, prosperous, and progressive nation.
The minister further called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to use the occasion to pray for peace, security, and stability of the country.
He also urged citizens to support the Federal Government’s efforts in fostering national harmony and sustainable development.
“The celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo further enjoined citizens to remain law-abiding, security conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at ensuring the collective well-being of all.
The minister wished all Muslims a joyous and peaceful Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
