THE State government has declared tomorrow o as public holiday in honour of Nigeria’s first President, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, who disclosed this in a statement today, said Governor Willie Obiano declared Tuesday as a work- free day in the state in honour of Azikiwe who was born on November 16, 1904.
Obiano had in previous years asked the Federal Government to recognize the date in honour of the late nationalist.
The statement read: “It was the Great Zik of Africa who inspired such outstanding Pan-African leaders as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who led his country to freedom from colonial rule on March 6, 1957.
“This is the third consecutive year Anambra State is observing the birthday anniversary of the man who led Nigeria to independence on October 1, 1960, and is popularly known as The Great Zik of Africa because of his extraordinary Pan-African vision and commitment.
“Governor Obiano reiterated his call for the federal government to declare November 16 a national holiday in memory of the Great Zik of Africa.
“After all, Ghanaians celebrate Dr. Nkrumah’s birthday as a national holiday, just as Tanzanians celebrate President Julius Nyerere’s birthday as a national holiday.
“It is a great national shame that Nigeria has not yet declared a national holiday on November 16.”
