As Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has enjoined faithful to use the period of Eid-el-Kabir to pray for the unity, peace and prosperity of the of the country. He has also urged them to propagate the message of love, which remains the cornerstone and overriding principle for the adherents of every religion, including Islam.
In his message to Muslims in the country on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, Dickson called on them to pray to Almighty Allah to always direct the leadership of the country aright all times, especially in this period of economic hardship.
According to him, the nation needs the collective prayers and unity of purpose to not only over come its present problems, but continue to occupy the enviable position of the giant of Africa.
He noted that this is the time every Nigerian devoid of religious, ethnic and political inclinations should come together and confront the myriad of problems facing the country, stressing that, with genuine love and unity of purpose, Nigeria can always come out better from its current socio-economic woes.
Describing Islam as a religion of peace, he enjoined the practitioners to follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, (SAW) that centres on tolerance, peace and brotherliness.
“Irrespective of our religions and tribes, what should be uppermost in our minds is the unity of Nigeria, since we don’t have any other country to call our own.
The governor however, expressed to gratitude to Muslims in the state for their ever supportive and peaceful disposition, calling on them to maintain the existing relationship between the Muslims and practitioners of other religion.
Ugwuanyi Calls for Prayers, Peaceful Co-existence
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called upon Nigerians, especially Muslims, to take advantage of the period of Eid-el Kabir to offer special prayers for the peace and unity of the country.
Ugwuanyi, in a message to the Muslim faithful, noted that it is only through prayers and absolute faith in God that Nigeria can overcome her current socio-cultural and economic challenges. The governor harped on the need for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of their religious and ethnic differences, adding that “the God who brought us together as one entity will certainly take the nation to the dreams of our founding fathers.”
While felicitating with Muslims, Ugwuanyi also offered prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders for God’s guidance and wisdom to enable them take decisions that will lead country to the progress and enhance its peaceful co-existence.
Obiano Felicitates with Muslims
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has called on Muslim faithful and all Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, tolerance and harmony as advocated by the teachings of Prophet Mohammed to survive the challenges created by the recession in the nation’s economy.
In a special message issued in Awka, the state capital, at the weekend, Obiano observed that the celebration of this year’s Eid offers Nigerians a chance to express love to one another and strengthen the bonds of nationhood.
The statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, James Eze, further pointed out that Nigeria has always bounced back from difficult situation in the past and that the teachings of the Holy prophet should serve as a guide to her steady steps out of the current recession. According to him, “Nigerians should love one another, be more tolerance for one another and work closely to pull the country out of the throes of depression.”
Ajimobi Calls for Prayers for Pilgrims’ Safe Return, Love
Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged the Muslim community to imbibe the spirit of togetherness, peaceful co-existence and love towards one another as exemplified by Holy Prophet Muhammed.
He also called or fervent prayers for pilgrims in Mecca as they proceeded to Mount Arafat for prayers yesterday to have a hitch-free session and return to their respective countries in good health. In his congratulatory message to the Islamic adherents on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, the governor said only in an atmosphere of peace and love could the people thrive and attain their potential.
A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, added that the country needs these attributes to achieve the desired greatness, as he commended the people of the state for their understanding and continued support for his administration.
Imbibe Values of Sacrifice, Endurance, Ambode Urges Muslims
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday charged all Muslims in Nigeria to imbibe the values of sacrifice and endurance as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. In his Salah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said the period of the celebration is one that calls for every Muslim and other Nigerians to embrace the tenets of sacrifice, patience, humility and brotherly love. He explained that the significance of the season should go beyond the festivities, adding that Salah should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity of blood, food and water as these should constitute what binds the people. Ambode therefore called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of the lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of mankind.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion; let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbours and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her place in the comity of nations,” the governor said.
Ayade Canvasses Attitudinal Change
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has called for an attitudinal change from all Nigerians in order to pull the country out of the current economic recession.
In his Eid-el-Kabir message which was signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Ayade said: “While I congratulate all my Muslim brothers and sisters across the country on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, I want to particularly ask us for attitudinal change and use the moment to engage in sober reflection on the state of affairs in our country.” According to the governor, “Today we find ourselves in a recession occasioned by economic downturn, but it is a time that we must task our intellect, creativity and inventiveness to navigate our way out of the woods.”
He appealed for the collective support of Nigerians to join hands with the government so that the country can pull through its current challenges.
While rallying support for President Muhammadu Buhari, the governor noted that: “As devout faithful, let us harness our creative energies, our love for one another towards the development of the country by aligning with our President, to help realise the dream of our founding fathers for a better Nigeria for all.”
Okowa Salutes Muslims
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged Muslims in Nigeria to reflect on the various challenges facing the country with a view to collaborating with the government to surmount the problems.
Besides, he said the challenges require the cooperation of all to achieve meaningful progress and development in the country. The governor who stated this in a goodwill message issued in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, to mark this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, stressed the need for Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers.
“I therefore call on all Muslims to use the period to reflect on the various challenges facing Nigeria. It takes the concerted efforts of all to achieve meaningful development in any nation especially in a period of economic recession,” he stated. Furthermore, he said: “The faithful should use the opportunity of this Eid-el-Kabir to deepen their faith in God and renew the spirit of obeisance to the will of Almighty God in accordance with the faith of Prophet Mohammed.”
Mimiko Canvasses Teamwork to End Nation’s Woes
Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has called for the cooperation of all Nigerians in a bid to rescue the country from its myriad of challenges. He called for prayers to re-position the country economically to enable joy return quickly to the many Nigerians bearing the brunt of economic recession. In his Eid-el-Kabir message issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, in Akure yesterday, Mimiko called on Muslims in the country to sustain their consistent prayer because, according to him, the country is in dare need of prayers more than ever before to surmount her challenges. He said the time calls for the total cooperation of all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious divide to put all hands on deck, pray and find solutions to the challenges facing the country. Insisting that nothing is beyond God’s control, Mimiko said Nigeria is a great country and her potential must be maximally tapped for her greatness to manifest, and this, he said, could only be done through the cooperation of all Nigerians. He said love, tolerance and peace are Islamic virtues that true Muslims and Nigerians in general should not compromise, positing that making these virtues permanent habits will go a long way in making the country a better one for all to cohabit.
Gaidam: Lessons of Sallah Should Permeate Our Lives
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has urged the people of the state to imbibe the lessons of Eid el-Kabir and make those lessons reflect in their lives.
According to the governor who spoke yesterday to the people of the state as they mark Salah, “The act of sacrifice symbolises our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us for the sake of others. This also indicates our willingness to share what we have with others… While continuing to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, we should also continue to inculcate the spirit of love, honesty, discipline and above all, fear of Allah in all our actions, be good to our neighbours and above, make the poor and the needy among us have a meaningful livelihood. “We should always be good and compassionate to followers of other religions, demonstrate respect, kindness, love, generosity to them and above all, show faithfulness to all fellow human beings. This will surely strengthen our collective endeavour to attain and sustain a harmonious, peaceful and cohesive society.”
Glo Celebrate with Nigerian Muslims
As Nigerian Muslim faithful join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, telecoms giant, Globacom, has urged them to continuously follow the shining examples of love, dedication and sacrifice which Prophet Ibraheem exemplified. In a goodwill message released yesterday, Globacom appealed to the Muslim Ummah to use the celebration to pray for the prosperity of the Nigerian economy, promote peace, unity and development of the nation in accordance with the injunctions of Prophet Mohammed (SAW), to his followers.
“Globacom felicitates with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. We urge you all to use this season of charity, peace-making and forgiveness to remember to fend for the poor and the needy in line with Allah’s injunction to be our brother’s keepers,” Globacom said. The company also rejoiced with all Nigerian Muslims who successfully performed the Hajj this year in fulfillment of a key injunction of Islamic faith. Globacom urged them to remain steadfast and be guided by lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority as epitomized by the willingness of Prophet Ibraheem to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of Allah, a supreme act of faith which Eid-el-Kabir glorifies. “We call on Muslims to use the occasion to continue to live up to the tenets of their faith through acts of charity, peaceful co-existence with their neighbours and obedience to the injunctions of the Holy Quoran. The joy of Eid is in giving.” Globacom said.
It promised to continue to provide high quality service throughout the Sallah period and beyond, assuring Muslim brothers and sisters on its network of a hitch-free communications experience. Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Feast of the Sacrifice, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The annual Eid-el-Kabir celebrations start after the Hajj, when the pilgrims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia descend from Mount Arafat and this comes up on the 10th, 11th and 12th day of the twelfth and the last Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar.
