By joshua 
Declares Tuesday public holiday
Uzo Nwogu
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, on Monday reiterated his call on the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to declare November 16, a national holiday, in memory of Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was born on November 16, 1904.
Obiano, in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, stated that it is a huge national embarrassment that Nigeria had yet to declare November 16, a national holiday in memory of Azikiwe, who was popularly called Zik.
It could be recalled that Obiano had previously called on the federal government to recognize the date as a nationwide public holiday, in honour of Azikiwe’s contribution to Nigeria.
The Anambra State Government, according to the statement, also declared Tuesday, November 16, 2021, as a public holiday in honour of Zik.
Adinuba, in the statement recalled that this year makes it the third year the Anambra State Government would be observing the birthday anniversary for Zik.
He said, “Anambra State Government has declared Tuesday, November 16, 2021, as a public holiday in honour of Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was born on November 16, 1904.”
Adinuba also quoted Obiano as saying: “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.”
“I reiterate my call on the Federal Government to declare November 16 a national holiday in memory of The Great Zik of Africa.
“After all, the Ghanaians observe the birthday of Dr Nkrumah as a national holiday, just the way Tanzanians observe President Julius Nyerere’s birthday as a national holiday.
“It is a huge national embarrassment that Nigeria has yet to declare November 16 a national holiday.”