ARTICLE WRITTEN BY ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD TITLED “THE DWELLING DAYS OF THE YEAR”

The year is said to make up of 364 days and 365 days in case of leap years. Now, a leap year is calendar containing one additional day to the month of February which is meant to end by 28^th day of the month but additional day to this particular month makes it 29th days which also makes the year leap year. Now, the dwelling days of the year is ascertained to be the days of relaxation and freedom of choice.

These dwelling days should be counted from weekends and public holidays. Using Nigeria as a case study, we have the days like the democracy day being 29^th May of every year, the children’s day being May 27^th of every year, the workers day being 1^st May of every year, the Nigerian Independent commemoration day being 1^st October of every year etc. All these coupled with weekends are dwelling days of the years in Nigeria, also other part of the world have their dwelling days as well.

Now, the question goes, what are we expected to do on these dwelling days of the year? Are they the days of making choices and relaxation? Now, some people use these days to visit friends and relations as well as exercise their voting right in case of election days where people exercise their franchise but though limited to house rest on voter’s days is an opportunity to relax and have a good sleep as well as listen and watch media news to know the outcome of the nation’s political election but precisely it is an opportunity for relaxation and relief from duty.

Apart from the election days, people use that opportunity to tour round the nations and transact one business or the other which may be contrary to the event of the particular day. This is pointing to some hustling Civil servants who may not have the chance and opportunity to transact one or two business both in weekends as they cease that opportunity to travel far distant to purchase goods for sales. I know one that travels to Dubai whenever there is two days Public Holidays preceding weekends, especially during Moslems festive period that precede weekend, Christian religious Civil servants may cease this period for their personal transactions and services. While during the Christians Easter and Xmas period that precedes the same weekends Moslems also does the same thing.

Now, the question is that “Should those dwelling days be used for any other purpose by which it is not meant for? The constitution of Federal republic of Nigeria made it as a choice of freedom according to Section 41(1) of Nigerian constitution as stated below:

                        “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely

                        Throughout Nigeria and reside in any part thereof

                        And no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled  from

                        Nigeria or refused entry or exit there from”

We can see that it is stated clearly that every Nigerian citizen has freedom and right to movement except as limited by law under section 41(2a-b). So if there is no specific instruction or sanction on movement from governmental authorities on that particular day. You are free to decide your choice of movement without any restrictions. Just like the sanitation day where the state administrators will give specific order mandating that no one should move around or transact business at some specific time of 9am to 10 am depending on the state’s constitution or rules for sanitation. And when one goes contrary to this instruction; the person will be punished severely.

Now, in conclusion, the dwelling days of the year should be a time of relaxation and freedom of choice, except as limited by law. These are the days we get relief and rest from duties, other official matters and responsibilities to the Public services. So that we can focus on the event or the purpose of the Holiday as we want it. This condition varies from countries to countries of the world, like in Saudi Arabia which is in United Arab Emirate has some specific limitations on festive period as well as Libya of which when you break the laws it may cost one’s life as Muslim nation.  So Nigeria as a republic gave freedom of movement except if it is limited on certain occasion and for a genuine security purpose.

Diversifying in to Europe and America, the dwelling days are weekends coupled with the Summer Holydays. On these days, one is free to tour round Europe, people travels from London to Paris and Vice versa as well as other part of Europe to spend their summer Holiday with pleasure and comfort. It is a time of pleasure and relaxation with recreational sports activities to keep life and people active. This a seasonal time for flair towards friends’ and relations’ get together. With this we can utilize our dwelling days in the year. Thanks you.

Written by

ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD

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