The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that all offices within the country to be close at 1:00pm local time on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles host the Black Stars of Ghana in the second leg of the ‘Jollof’ derby’ in the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff, after a first leg goalless draw in Ghana.
The directive is to ensure that all Civil Servants and Government appointees join the supporters front to fill the 60-000 capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, to cheer the Super Eagles for victory against the Black Stars.
This was contained in a statement from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe.
“As you are aware, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be meeting the Black Stars of Ghana in continuation of the 2022 FIFA World-Cup Qualifier, Playoff, (Return Leg).
“There is a need to mobilise support for the Nigerian Team. Consequently, I am directed to inform you that all offices will be closed at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 29 n March, 2022,” the circular directed.
It further charged departmental heads at various offices to assure that the communique reached its publicised space to meet it requirements.
“Permanent Secretaries are requested to give this circular wide publicity to achieve the desired result,” it urges.
Below is the circular
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have teamed up to buy 20,000 tickets for fans ahead of the game.
The move, according to the sector Minister, Sunday Dare, it is in line to ensure that the 60,000 capacity Stadium is fully filled to it’s maximum.
“We will buy 20,000 of the tickets and give to fans at designated centres on Monday and Tuesday morning. We want to ensure maximum support for the Super Eagles by filling up the stands” this was made on Sunday March, 27, 2022 in a joint meeting between the Ministry and the NFF.
The decision comes after the NFF had earlier been granted permission by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to admit 60,000 fans at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
To the second Vice President of the NFF, Mallam Shehu Dikko, he believes the gesture would aid the Super Eagles the fully support they need to clinch Nigeria’s seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals.
