As Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on Nigerians to be patient with President Mohammadu Buhari as he battles to fix the country’s ailing economy and security challenges.
Bello made the plead yesterday after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers in his country home, Okene.
He said the president had demonstrated unequalled ability in tackling the nation’s economic transformation in the last one year.
“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) record shows that the economy of the country is growing on a daily basis, so Mr President is doing a good job,” Bello added.
According to him, “We are doing our best in Kogi State to make sure that we secure the lives and property of the people through continuous provision of security surveillance.”
Al-Makura Calls for Preparation Towards 2019 Elections
As Muslims in Nasarawa State celebrate the Eid El Kabir, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has implored all men of goodwill to stand up and be counted for peace as they prepare towards the 2019 general election.
The governor stated this yesterday in a Sallah message signed by his Director General, Strategic Communication and Press Affairs, Yakubu Lamai and made availlable to journalist in Lafia.
Accordingly, he implored parents, teachers and religious leaders to pass on the message that political affiliation, ethnic and religious diversity need not escalate into hate speech, violence or conflicts because Nigeria is a country of unity in diversity.
He said: “Nasarawa State holds a pride of place as a land of courtesy and warm welcome to all people from every part of this great nation.
“We should never fall short of our reputation as an inclusive society, where all religions continue to live in peace and harmony with each other and welcome with open arms to all people who are displaced from places far or near.”
Masari Calls for More Sacrifice and Obedience to Leaders
Governor Aminu Masari has called for more sacrifice and obedience to leaders in the true spirit of the religious, stressing that the occasion was a moment which citizens should use for both merriment and sober reflection for the advancement of the society.
Masari, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abdu Labaran Mulumfashi, said the importance of the Eid-el-Kabir cannot be over emphasised, as it signifies sacrifice and unquestioned obedience to the command of Allah (SWT) by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
The governor stressed that the significance of the lesson of the occasion cannot be more poignant, coming at a time when the nation required the virtues of sacrifice and obedience.
According to him, “There is no doubt that Nigeria is facing serious challenges which the leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari is pulling out all the stops to address. The APC administration means well for all Nigerian citizens.
“It is therefore incumbent on all well meaning citizens to assist the leadership to successfully navigate the country out of the dire straits in every positive way we can.”
While admonishing Nigerians not to allow tribal, religion and political affiliation to divide them, Masari said: “We must resist and renounce politics of negative instincts, and put a distance between us and the proponents and promoters of such divisive tendencies, as their interest is at variance with the nation.”
Ajimobi Attributes Administration’s Success to Godliness, Sincerity of Purpose
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has attributed the unprecedented milestones of his more than seven-year administration to godliness, sincerity of purpose, fearlessness and blessings from God.
The governor said this in an interview with journalists shortly after observing the Eid al-Adha prayers at the Eid Prayer Ground, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri; and was attended by Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Daud Akinola; Seriki Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo; former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; and Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni.
The governor said that his administration would continue to adhere strictly to the rule of law and exhibit the fear of God in all its activities, urging the citizens to also reciprocate by being law-abiding and alive to their civic responsibilities.
Congratulating Muslims on the occasion of this year’s celebrations, the governor stated that what was being celebrated was godliness and service to humanity.
Follow Allah’s Precepts, Turaki Uges Nigerians
A frontline presidential hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has urged both the leaders and the people of Nigeria to adhere to the precepts laid down by Allah to guarantee the outpouring of His blessings and favour.
In a message to congratulate the Muslim Ummah for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Turaki said, “We can draw valuable inspiration from the festival which commemorates the travails and eventual triumph of Prophet Ibrahim because of his sacrifice, patience, unwavering commitment and total submission to Allah’s command.
“It is imperative,” he added, “for us to have the fear of God in our dealings with one another as well as with our country.”
He enjoined all citizens to take full advantage of the period of spirituality, by ensuring that it serves as a rallying point for the continued unity, peace, progress and prosperity of the country.
Turaki also congratulated “our compatriots currently performing Hajj rites with other pilgrims across the world in Saudi Arabia” who, he noted, are trying to further strengthen their faith in God.
Fayemi Greets Muslims, Urges Peaceful Co-existence
Ekiti State Governor-elect. Dr Kayode Fayemi, has felicitated with Muslims in the state and in the country at large as they join other faithful around the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
Fayemi urged the Muslims Ummah to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice which is the foundation of the festival, during and after the festivities.
The governor-elect, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the Eid-el-Kabir festival offers the opportunity for sober reflection and spiritual renewal which Allah demands from the faithful.
He urged the Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths in the country to make peaceful coexistence their watchword and work together for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
According to him, Nigerians need to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority as demonstrated in Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of God, which Eid-el-Kabir commemorates.
“It is only through the love for one another and commitment to peace, security and stability that the country can progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation,” he said.
He urged Muslims faithful to pray for peace in the country, as they perform the Arafat rites today, noting that the fervent prayers by various religious bodies and individuals have accounted largely for the peace that we enjoy as a nation in recent times.
Fayemi who praised Muslims in Ekiti for rising above religious sentiments that some people attempted to introduce to the politics of the state during the last governorship election, urged them to pray for the success of the in-coming administration that is billed to take off in October.
Bauchi Governor Urges Muslims to Imbibe Values of Peaceful Coexistence
The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, has called on Muslims in the country to imbibe the values of peaceful coexistence and brotherly love as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year Eid-el-Kabir.
In his goodwill message to the state, the governor said since Islam preaches the message of peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence.
He also enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace and tranquility in the state and use the occasion to rededicate themselves to the worship of Allah by extending their hands of fellowship to help the less privileged in the society.
“I urge all other Muslim leaders in Bauchi State and the country at large to embrace the principles of Eid, which include; sacrifice, almsgiving, brotherhood and equality. As we celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the less privileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us reflect on activities in the previous year and make assessment of our spiritual affairs. The significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, rather, it should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity as these should constitute what binds the people,” he said
Dankwambo Calls for Peaceful Politicking
Gombe State Governor and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has called on politicians across the country to put the interest of the country above any other by conducting themselves peacefully and with the fear of God ahead of the 2019 general election.
Dankwambo made the appeal in Gombe Government House in his Eid-el-Kabir message shortly after observing the Eid prayers at the held at the Gombe Eid praying ground yesterday.
Dankwambo particularly called on politicians to conduct themselves well for the peace and development of Nigeria, Gombe State and their various communities by engaging and encouraging peaceful campaigns.
While commending the people of the state for the peaceful coexistence despite their different religious and ethnic backgrounds, he called on them to continue to pray for the peace and development of the state and Nigeria as a whole.
In his Sallah goodwill message at his palace, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, called on Muslims and the entire people of Gombe State to continue to support government in its efforts at creating peace and development of the society.
A colourful durbar was organised in the palace of the emir before Governor Dankwambo and many dignitaries from within and outside Gombe State.
Conoil Felicitates With Muslims, Sues For Peace Among Nigerians
As Muslims the world over celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival, major oil marketer Conoil Plc has urged faithfuls and all Nigerians in general, to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of the country.
In a goodwill message, Conoil urged Nigerians to learn to support one another, especially in the battle to overcome this trying period.
The frontline fuel marketers also advised Muslims to imbibe and exhibit the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance and selfless service, adding that the occasion calls for sober reflection, prayers, cooperation and the display of solidarity among all Nigerians.
“Eid-el-Kabir is a season of joy, a time for togetherness. Therefore, Muslims, and indeed all Nigerians should go the extra mile to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria and humanity,” the company said in a statement.
The company stated that the core values of Eid-el-Kabir, which symbolise total submission to the will of God, goodness to one another and service to humanity, as exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim, should be embedded in the citizens and enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and its leadership.
It further urged Nigerians to ensure that their vehicles are in good shape and adhere to all safety rules as they journey across the country to felicitate with friends and relations.