As Muslims celebrate this year’s 2024 Eid-el Fitir otherwise on Wednesday, the governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the extension of the three-day public holiday to Friday, April 12, 2024.
Recall that the federal government had declared Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as public holidays for the Sallah celebrations.
However, Governor Inuwa has added additional one day as a work-free day in his State to enable residents of the state to celebrate ‘more comfortably’.
The governor’s approval was conveyed by the office of the head of Civil Service of the State on Wednesday evening.
Our correspondent reports that the extension of the holiday might not be unconnected with the fact that the state usually marks the Sallah festival for three consecutive days via horse-riding led by the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar.
LEADERSHIP reports that on the Eid day, a durbar (horse riding) known as “Hawan Sallah” takes place immediately after Eid prayer is observed, then “Hawan gidan gwamnati” on the second day and “Hawan Tudun Wada” on the third day, respectively.
“I am directed to inform you that the Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, (Dan Majen Gombe ) has approved the extension of the Public Holiday to Thursday 11th and Friday 12th April, 2024 to enable civil servants in the State continue with the celebration of this year’s Eid el-fitir,” a press release from the office of the head of civil service said.
Meanwhile, the governor asked workers on essential services to remain active throughout the public holiday, adding that all other workers should resume their normal duties on Monday, April 15, 2024.