- Emir of Kano urges Muslims to apply lessons of Ramadan
Our Correspondents
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, wednesday called on Nigerians to go back to the farms, adding that that is the only way out of the current challenges bedeviling the country.
In his Sallah message to the Muslim Ummah in his palace in Sokoto, the monarch said Nigerians are really facing difficult times occasioned by the global financial crunch, hence the need for the people to embrace farming as a way out of the current quagmire.
He stated that Nigeria is endowed with vast arable land with each region having its own peculiar comparative advantage, as such, the country has no business with importation of food.
“Farming is our main source of livelihood in the North. We should all go back to the farms-engage in both rainy and dry season farming. With this, we can produce adequate food to be locally self-sufficient and even export the surplus,” he said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Sokoto State Government for their efforts to revamp the agriculture sector.
“These efforts will help in further reducing poverty and unemployment as well as boost the nation’s revenue.
“Premium should also be placed on the welfare of Nigerians and security. We should all regard security as a collective responsibility,” the Sultan added.
He condemned the recent blast close to the Holy Mosque of Prophet Muhammad in Medina, Saudi Arabia, saying Islam abhors all forms of violence.
“Islam is a religion of peace, and it preaches peace and unity. Violence breeds only violence and underdevelopment. It is only the bad eggs among the Muslims who are perpetrating such heinous acts,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in has urged Muslim faithful to apply lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan in their daily activities.
He also advised them to observe the obligatory six-day fasting in the month of Shawwal.
In his Sallah message, the Emir also urged Muslims Ummah to remain peaceful, tolerate one another and help the less-privileged people in the society.
THISDAY gathered that Eid prayers were peacefully conducted in all Eid prayer grounds in Kano metropolis and some other parts of the state amid tight security.
Don’t Depart from Rebirth of Ramadan, Aregbesola Tells Muslims
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in his Sallah message yesterday urged adherents of the Islamic faith to hold the virtue of Ramadan in all they do.
The governor said the essence of Ramadan is for human beings to be reborn spiritually.
According to him, fasting teaches virtue, resilience and endurance which must be upheld by all Islamic faithful.
He tasked Muslims not to detract from the part of virtue and righteousness that they observed for 30 days of Ramadan.
Aregbesola noted that the best thing for Muslims to do after the fasting is not to go back to old ways of sins.
“Today marks the end of Ramadan. It is without doubt that for 30 days, we endured hunger, thirst and obedience.
“These are what Allah commands of us. During this month, we came together as one. We shared together; we loved ourselves and prayed to God for forgiveness.
“Fasting teaches the utmost virtues of endurance, tolerance, love, honesty, determination in face of adversity. It is all these that renewed our beings and made us spiritual.
“I therefore urge us to hold on to all the qualities. Even though Ramadan has ended, we should not let these good qualities go with the Ramadan. We must not depart from this path of virtue again,” Aregbesola said.
Ajimobi Urges Modesty, Vigilance during Celebrations
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday wished Islam adherents across the country a joyous and crisis-free festival of Eid al-Fitr, following the completion of the month-long Ramadan.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, he urged Muslims to be modest in their celebrations and to be on their guard against terrorists who might want to wreak havoc during the celebration.
The governor expressed the belief that with the dedication and commitment of the Muslim community to the Ramadan as one of the pillars of Islam, the country would soon witness a socio-economic rebirth and peace.
El-Rufai Urges Kaduna People to Resist Attempt to Divide State
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, has called on citizens of the state to resist any attempt to divide the state along religious and ethnic line.
Speaking in an interview with journalists yesterday, shortly after Eid prayer which was held at Kaduna Capital School to mark Eid-el-Fitr, el-Rufai said peace, harmony and stability among citizens were critical in achieving cogent and realistic development in the state.
He urged the people to redouble their efforts and stand together by resisting any attempt to divide the state along religious and ethnic lines.
The governor commended the people for keeping faith with the state government policies and actions, as he called for continuous support.
Extend Holy Life beyond Ramadan, Ambode Charges Muslims
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has urged Muslim faithful and all Lagosians to carry on with the principles of the holy month of Ramadan which are love, peace, kindness, compassion and happy co-existence.
Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja, at a special Eid-el-Fitr celebration organised by the state government to mark the end of fasting, said it is only when the principles of the season are sustained beyond Ramadan that the fasting period can be given true meaning.
The governor, who said this year’s Ramadan was unique in the sense that the 30-day fasting period was fully observed, thanked the Muslim faithful for their prayers and urged them to continue to pray for the state and the country.
Masari: Nigeria is Going through most Challenging Period
Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has disclosed that the country is going through one of the most challenging moments in its history.
Masari in his Sallah message made available to THISDAY in Katsina yesterday and signed by his Senior Special Adviser on media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, said: “With the drastic global economic downturn negatively affecting Nigeria’s income, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east, the Niger Delta militancy, the irredentist agitations in the South-east and the cattle rustling menace in the North, there is no doubt that the lessons taught by the month of Ramadan are but the tonic the nation needs to get it out of the dire straits it is navigating.”
