Governor   Abdulfatah Ahmed

By Hammed Shittu

As Muslims celebrate the Eld-el-fitri to mark the end of Ramadan fasting, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has identified greed and selfishness as causes of Nigeria's socio-political and security problems.

Similarly, the Senator representing Kwara Central at the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki has enjoined Muslim faithful to allow the tenets of the fast to reflect on their lives "to ensure unity, peace and socio-economic development of the nation."

Governor Ahmed who stated this yesterday in the Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, emphasised that if Nigerians demonstrate the kind of compassion and love for one another as exemplified during the holy month of Ramadan, the country would surmount its numerous challenges.

Ahmed advised Muslims to see the Eld-el-fitri not only as a period for mere festivity but "as one that connotes deep spiritual devotion and rededication to the values of humility and respect for the dignity of human life, irrespective of ethno-religious affiliations, that Islam preaches."

The governor urged Muslims in the country to inculcate the lessons of the fasting period in their daily lives as "it is imperative that Muslims remained committed to complete devotion to Allah, strive for piety and uphold fellowship and care for their neighbours beyond the month of Ramadan as enshrined in the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet Mohammed."

Saraki urged Nigerians to continue to pray and work towards the unity and peaceful coexistence of the country.

He said this had become necessary because of the trying period the nation was passing through and noted that every Nigerian "has critical roles to play in getting the country out of her present predicament."

Saraki also urged the people of Kwara State to remain "one united family working towards a shared prosperity and shun any act that could cause disunity in the state.’

In his message, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulrasaq Atunwa enjoined Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan after the holy month to ensure worthy society.

Atunwa noted with delight that the holy month had trained Muslims to be steadfast, tolerant, persevere, generous, kind and love one another more than any other month.

The speaker while calling for prayers and greater commitment to nation building said the nation was currently passing through trying period and called for collective effort in salvaging the nation from her current travail.

He observed that no nation could strive in an atmosphere of rancour, acrimony, terrorism and civil unrest and called for high sense of patriotism, dialogue and tolerance in restoring normalcy in the country.