President Goodluck Jonathan

Muhammad Bello and  Onwuka Nzeshi

As Muslims all over the world started the fasting of the Holy month of Ramadan President Goodluck Jonathan has felicitated with them and enjoin them to use the occasion to pray for peace and stability in the country.

This is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal called for prayers for peace across the nation and faith irrespective of different religious beliefs and persuasions.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and  Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati observed that : “Against the background of recent security challenges in parts of the country, President Jonathan assures the Islamic faithful in the affected areas that every possible effort will be made to ensure that they observe the Ramadan rites of spiritual reflection, supplication, good deeds, charity and worship without hindrance.”

According to him, as Ramadan fast teaches Muslims to practice piety, self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, tolerance, justice, fairness and empathy for the less fortunate in society, there is  for all Muslims in the country to reflect on these as they fast and make them a greater part of their daily lives to promote peaceful co-existence and greater unity amongst the diverse groups in Nigeria.

He urged them to offer special prayers during the period for peace, stability and progress in the country, praying that  “God Almighty will grant the prayers of Nigerians during Ramadan and reward the entire nation with multiple blessings as well as greater peace, security, political stability, unity and faster socio-economic development.”

Tambuwal, asked all Nigerians irrespective of their religious belief to pray for the nation to overcome its challenges as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began across the globe on Friday, should be used to pray for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said it behoves on all Nigerians, especially Muslims, to dedicate much of their time to acts of worship in order enjoy maximum favor from the almighty God.

He said all Nigerians should use the Ramadan period to embrace love for one another, sacrifice for the overall growth and development of the nation, and cooperation with government for the attainment of our national goals.

According to him, Ramadan is a time of sacrifice, a time when Moslems abstain from the physical pleasures of this life, and seek blessings from the Almighty through the study of the Holy Koran, the teachings of the Holy Prophet and sharing with neighbours and the needy.

The Speaker further urged Nigerians to let their actions match their prayers.
"As we begin the Ramadan fast, we must take actions that match our prayers. The holy month is a period of sacrifice, prayers and reflection on our attitudes and contributions to nation-building. It bears repeating here that without peace and unity, socio economic development will continue to elude our society," he added.

Tambuwal therefore prayed for an end to the spate of bombings, ethno-religious conflicts and other acts of insecurity bedeviling the country.