Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Udora Orizu in Abuja, Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State;
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have congratulated Muslims in Nigeria for the commencement of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued by his media office, Atiku urged Muslims to seize the once-in-a-year opportunity to get close to God spiritually and seek His favour, and relief from the myriad of problems that have become a cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress and development as a nation.
The former Vice President noted that although the Holy month of Ramadan is a period in which Muslims observe the 29 or 30 days fast, it is also a time for them to reflect on their humanity and to give charity, especially to those desperately in need of help.
“At this crucial time when regulations aimed at ending the scourge of COVID-19 have led to many people being economically displaced, it is incumbent on us to remember those in need and stretch our hands of help,” he said.
He enjoined all to shun acts of violence and criminality that is causing so much harm in the society.
Makinde has also congratulated Muslims in Oyo State, Nigeria and across the world, on the commencement of the 2021 Ramadan fasting.
The governor urged the Muslim faithful to pray relentlessly for the peace and development of the country during the fasting period.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as praying to the Almighty Allah (SWT) to show mercy to the Muslim Ummah, Oyo State and Nigeria in general during this season and beyond.
The governor, who equally admonished Muslims across the world to embrace piety as demanded of them during the Ramadan fast, urged Muslims to beseech Almighty Allah (SWT) to put an end to insurgency and insecurity, which he said have been ravaging the whole country in recent years.
He also enjoined Muslims in the state to use the month-long fasting period to pray for peaceful co-existence and security in the state and the country at large.
“I enjoin our brothers and sisters in Islam to please use the opportunity of this month of blessings to seek Almighty Allah’s (SWT) mercies to make insecurity a thing of the past in our country.”
The governor also admonished Muslims to tune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence inherent in the messages of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) while also being their brothers’ keepers.
On his part, the Gombe State Governor, Yahaya, has enjoined the Muslim Ummah to use the opportunity provided by the holy month to pray fervently against the challenges of insecurity as well as for unity and progress of the state and the nation as a whole.
The governor who made the call in a goodwill message to mark the commencement of the Ramadan yesterday, also called for sustained prayers for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic which he said is still very much in existence.
He noted that this year’s holy month was coming at a time Nigeria was still battling with challenges of insecurity, characterised by insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes, hence the need for all to intensify prayers to seek Allah’s intervention.
He said: “As one of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan fasting avails the Ummah a golden opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and devotion through supplication and other acts of worship. We, therefore, must use this opportunity to pray fervently for our dear state and the nation as well as for those in authority as we collectively battle to combat the threat of insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic and many challenges facing us today.”
Governor Sule of Nasarawa State has also urged Muslims in the state to pray for peace and prosperity of the state and Nigeria at large.
He asked them to pray for the state and the country while seeking forgiveness, blessings and favour of Allah through devotion and supplications during the Ramadan.
The governor stated this in a statement he personally signed and issued to journalists in Lafia, the state capital.
He said: “It is my prayer and hope that believers will seize the opportunity of immense reward that abounds in the month to do good deeds for their families, communities and the people in general.”
The ruling APC has also enjoined Muslim faithful to use the opportunity presented by the Holy month to pray for the security of the country.
The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement issued yesterday said Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar is considered one of the most blessed, if not the holiest month in Islam.
“The APC hereby urges Moslems to pray for Nigeria’s shared prosperity, development and security.
“We should also pray for our leaders and remember to take care of the less-privileged around us. We pray the Almighty Allah to answer our prayers and imbue in us the spirit of sacrifice, humility, mercy and kindness.”
On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Wase, has urged Muslim Ummah to use the Holy Month to pray for the peace, security and development of Nigeria.
In a congratulatory message to mark the commencement of this year’s Ramadan, the Deputy Speaker implored Muslims to follow and apply the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in their relationship with both Muslims and non-Muslims neighbours.
He said: “We should remember to cater for the less-privileged in our midst, stay humble and abstain from all bad deeds. As Ramadan begins, I wish to felicitate with all Muslims for witnessing yet another season of spiritual significance. I enjoin you to use the sacred Holy month of Ramadan to pray for our dear nation against the current spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry and other security challenges bedevilling most parts of the country.
“We must report to all relevant authorities agents of destruction who disguise as ethnic or religious champions to achieve their diabolic, selfish and heinous agenda by exploiting our perceived differences. I also call on our religious leaders not to relent in their prayers and preaching for unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence in order to build a nation that we will all be proud of.”
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, in a special press statement, yesterday by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, the former Lagos governor said: “I join Muslims in Nigeria and across the world in observance of this blessed month of Ramadan.
For this special and holy month serves to remind us of the peace-loving and compassionate principles of our faith and encourages us to be even more faithful to these principles that we may all move closer to Allah in our daily lives.
He said the spirit of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance symbolised by denying the body of food and drinks must engender the spirit of humility, mercy and kindness in Moslems and as a true community of faith.
“I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to be guided by this spirit in their interactions with fellow Muslims, but equally important also in their relations with their neighbours and Nigerians of other faiths as well. We must do so not only for the holy month of Ramadan but every day of our lives,” he said.
