Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his Niger State Counterpart, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, have greeted and charged Muslims on the commencement of this year’s Ramadan.
They all called on Muslim faithful to foster good neighbourliness and kindness during the Ramadan season.
In a statement to mark the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Obaseki said the fasting period should serve as a time for soulful reflection, devotion, prayers and to care for one another.
“As the Muslim faithful embark on Ramadan, I implore you to uphold the virtues of Islam by showing love and compassion to all. It is a time to show good neighbourliness and extend a helping hand to the needy in society, especially in these trying times.
“The Ramadan season is coming at a time when many people are faced with dire economic challenges. It is best to show love this period as we approach the period solemnly.”
Bago, on his part, admonished the Muslim faithful to use the period to get closer to God and embark on programmes that would alleviate the sufferings of the common man.
Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, stressed the need for Muslims to get closer to God by engaging in activities that would earn them eternal reward adding that the season “is a special period for spiritual rejuvenation.
“Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam which comes with favour, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah to those who participate in it.”
Governor Yahaya also urged the Muslim Ummah and the entire citizenry to utilise this sacred month for fervent prayers, seeking relief amid present economic hardships, and praying for peace, development, and prosperity of Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
In a goodwill message, the governor called for collective efforts in finding new solutions to the security and socio-economic challenges facing the nation, acknowledging the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors to address the current difficulties.
Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum Chairman used the occasion to express deep concern over the alarming increase in abductions of vulnerable citizens in some parts of the country, particularly making reference to the recent incidents involving students in Kaduna, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno, and Almajiri pupils in Zamfara states.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has also tasked traders not to increase the prices of their goods during the fasting period.
Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, appealed to traders in the country not to hike prices of foodstuffs and other commodities, as the Ramadan fast begins.
The Speaker congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world for witnessing another Ramadan, urging them to pray for their country.
In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, he noted that there was no better time to pray for Nigeria than in the Holy Month, stating that the country needed divine intervention more than ever before.
He urged not only Muslims but all Nigerians to pray for the unity of the country and for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to be able to tackle the numerous socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation.
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, in a statement, said Ramadan marked the commencement of a month-long fasting on the Islamic calendar.
He added that it was a season of renewed devotion to Almighty Allah, and service to nation and humanity.
“As this year’s Ramadan commences, our great Party urges prayers for Nigeria’s prosperity, security and unity. It also behooves us to pray for our leaders at all levels, and extend love and care to the less-priviledged around us,” he said.
The acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Amb. Iliya Damagum, called on Nigerians to pray for the nation and it’s leaders as Muslim begin their Ramadan fast
In a statement, Damagum said, “As we commence the Holy Ramadan fasting today, I urge the Muslim Ummah across the country to use the period to rededicate themselves to the Will of the Almighty Allah and seek His divine intervention to the challenges facing our nation.
“I also charge Nigerians especially leaders at all levels to use the Ramadan as an opportunity for serious introspection in the divine call for devotion to a life of truth, justice, selflessness, forgiveness, love, charity, tolerance and transparency in their dealings, in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW),” Damagum stressed
