The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in Anambra State, Mr C. Don Adinuba, has sounded a note of warning to workers in the state that Mondays are no longer work-free days in Anambra.
In a statement signed by the commissioner, he noted that the work-free days on Monday began with an order by the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, in their quest to gain the release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been arrested by the Federal Government.
The commissioner, however, noted that the group has since rescinded their decision ‘warning that any person who still tries to enforce the earlier decision is on his or her own and will, therefore, be dealt with accordingly’.
The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Government wishes to remind all individuals and organizations in the state that Monday, November 22, 2021, is not a work-free day in the state. This reminder has become imperative in view of the tendency of some people to observe in the last few months every Monday as a work-free day, in compliance with the directive by some non-state actors in an effort to press the Federal Government to free the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for some charges in Abuja brought by the federal administration.
“The IPOB leadership has suspended the directive requiring people to stay at home every Monday which it said would start from Monday, September 15, 2021, throughout the Southeast geopolitical zone. The IPOB leadership has in the last few days reiterated the suspension, warning that any person who still tries to enforce the earlier decision is on his or her own and will, therefore, be dealt with accordingly.
“The IPOB leadership has kept every pledge it has made, including rescinding its decision to thwart the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State. In fact, far from disrupting the election, IPOB encouraged the people of Anambra State to come out in their numbers and exercise their democratic right on November 6; the election is now recognized as easily the most peaceful and the fairest election since the State was created in 1991. In consideration of the high level of responsibility displayed by the IPOB leadership, a group of Igbo leaders, including worthy sons of Anambra State, met President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, at State House, Abuja, on Friday, November 19, 2021, to plead that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu be released and the issues around his arrest and trial resolved in a political way.”
The government urged the people of the state to go about their business without any fear of intimidation or harassment.
“The people of Anambra State are, therefore, enjoined to go about their normal business every Monday. They should not entertain any fear of disruption of their work or any kind of harassment from any quarters from Monday, November 22, 2021. The month of December is almost here. It is the month mankind marks the birth of Jesus Christ, and it is defined by peace, unity, love, solidarity and merrymaking. This period also ushers in a new year which itself is a festive period.
“Ndi Anambra, like many other Nigerians, use the period to launch community and church development projects, hold cultural festivals and conduct important personal, family and community events such as marriages, weddings and title taking. All this requires a lot of money. What is more, parents and guardians pay the educational fees of their children and wards during this period, thus making January the longest month in the year, as it is described in common parlance.
“It is in the interest of our people that all markets, all businesses, all offices and all schools in Anambra State operate fully every Monday, with effect from Monday, November 22, 2021. All our people are once again assured that they will not face any kind of molestation on any day of the week from any quarters henceforth,” the commissioner said.
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