Saraki, Omo-Agege, Ekweremadu, Others Call for Prayers for Nigeria
Our Correspondents
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase have called on the Muslim faithful to continue to demonstrate fear of God which they described as a key ingredient in building a better Nigeria.
Saraki in his Sallah message released in Ilorin and signed by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also noted that, like the previous year, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival is holding with the COVID-19 pandemic still prevalent while the challenge has prevented many Muslims from embarking on the holy pilgrimage.
“The essence of Eid-El-Kabir is the demonstration of the fear of Allah by Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) and his son, Prophet Ismail (ASW). If all of us can imbibe the fear of Allah, then our society will be better. Our country will develop if leaders display fear of Allah in taking key decisions that will affect the interests of the country and lives of the ordinary people,” he said.
On his part, urged Muslim ummah to pray for the security of the nation.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, who described insecurity as the nation’s worst nightmare, stressed that without security of lives and property, development, progress, and economic prosperity would continue to elude the country.
According to him: “It is sad that insecurity has persisted as the nation’s worst nightmare for so many years. We have never had it this bad. I do not know of any other nation in the world where all shades of criminals kill and abduct citizens daily in peacetime as presently experienced in Nigeria.”
In a similar vein, Omo-Agege called on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
While stressing that the country is passing through one of the most trying moments in the history of the nation, the ranking senator urged Nigerians to renew their faith in God.
He further urged Muslims to preach peace and imbibe the virtues of Prophet Mohammed whose sacrificial and obedient life is the reason for the celebration.
Equally, Wase called for prayers and unity of purpose among Nigerians.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Puma, urged Muslim faithful to use the occasion to pray for the success of the ongoing war against kidnapping, banditry, terrorism in some part of the country.
He also appealed to Nigerians to support the less privileged in the society.
Increase Prayers for Peace, Unity, Fayemi Tells Muslims
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated Muslims in the state and in Nigeria at large as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said the Eid-el-Kabir festival commemorates Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of God.
“It is only through love for one another and commitment to peace, security and stability that the country can progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum charged the Muslim faithful not to stop praying for the peace and progress of the country despite inability to observe this year’s Hajj and Arafat rites; saying that the fervent prayers by various religious bodies and individuals have been responsible largely for the peace that the country enjoys in recent times.
While urging Nigerians to celebrate moderately, Governor Fayemi tasked Muslims and non-Muslims to use the occasion to pray for peace, security, stability and prosperity of Ekiti State which, according to him, is moving on the path of sustainable development.
Abiodun Greets Muslim Faithful, Calls for Patience, Steadfastness
As the Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has urged faithful in the state to emulate the resilience, patience and steadfastness as well as absolute faith in Allah, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said the festival which is symbolised by slaughtering of rams as commanded by Allah, should be used to further foster unity and spread love in the state, and Nigeria.
He added that though the country is going through a trying period, the Eid-el-Kabir should serve as an opportunity to supplicate and seek the face of God, for restoration and healing.
He further urged Muslims to remember those who don’t have and share the merriment with them.
“As our Muslim brothers celebrate, let us be moderate and remember those who don’t have in our neighborhood and share the merriment with them. Let us remember Nigeria and in particular, Ogun State, in our supplications”, Abiodun was quoted to be saying in the statement.
Uzodimma Tasks Muslims on Love, Peace, Unity
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has urged the Muslim faithful in the country to make love, peace and unity the hallmark of their celebrations as they mark the Eid-el- Kabir.
Uzodimma said imbibing the spirit of love, peace, kindness, unity and sacrifice goes a long way in showing their understanding of what Prophet Mohammed stood and died for.
In a statement signed by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser, Media, Governor Uzodimma further admonished Muslims to fervently pray for peace, unity, love, prosperity, stability and security of Nigeria.
He said no time was better to pray for Nigeria than now that the peace, love, unity, stability and prosperity of the country is being threatened by security breaches and sundry crimes.
Uzodimma also used the opportunity to salute President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the security of Nigeria through social investment programmes that cater to the needs of the people.
While urging Muslims to use the opportunity of the Eid-El-Kabir to also pray for President Buhari, the governor noted that the president is taking steps to rewrite the story of Nigeria as regards infrastructure development and social welfare of the youth, women and the vulnerable in the country.
Ayade Urges Muslims to Emulate Prophet Muhammed
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has felicitated with Muslims on the festival of Eid-el-Kabir as they join their counterparts round the world to mark the occasion.
He admonished them to imbibe the virtues of obedience, love, alms giving, honesty and sacrifice as examplified by Prophet Muhammed.
The governor’s admonition was contained in a Sallah message signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita.
According to Ayade, “more than ever before, our country needs collective will of all its citizens to surmount its challenges. So as people of faith, I charge you to be ready at all times to make the sacrifices necessary for the progress of Nigeria
“There is no better way to do this than through exhibition of love, sacrifice, obedience, honesty and sacrifice as taught by Prophet Muhammed.”
Continuing, the Cross River state governor described Eid-el-Kabir as “an opportunity for Muslim faithfuls to reflect on the faith, which prophet Ibrahim dutifully agreed to sacrifice his son in obedience to the command of Allah”
“I wish to use this period of Eid-El kabir to speak to our inner selves and remind us that our great nation is going through challenges and all of us must play our role to overcome these challenges”, he further said.
Gombe Governor Enjoins Citizenry to Imbibe Spirit of Sacrifice, Tolerance, Love, Unity
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir sallah celebration.
In a goodwill message, the governor described the Eid el-Kabir as a period of sacrifice, sharing and caring, calling on the ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love, unity of purpose and obedience as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim ( AS) and upheld by Prophet Muhammad ( SAW).
The governor also admonished the faithful to remain steadfast in prayers for peace, prosperity and development of the state as well as for an end to the security and other socio-economic challenges.
“Gombe State is so peaceful, stable and progressive and that has a lot to do with the disposition of peace, unity and tolerance that has been consistently nurtured and fostered. I therefore charge us to maintain this spirit”.
Yahaya who noted that “although this year’s celebration is coming at a period the country is grappling with security and other socio-economic challenges, such should not distract us from learning the good lessons of the festival which teaches compassion, selfishness, love and obedience to the commands of Almighty Allah.“
Ugwuanyi: Let’s Remain Committed to God in Prayers
On the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has enjoined Muslims, and indeed all Nigerians, to remain committed to God in prayers for the peace, unity, security and progress of the country.
In his Sallah Message, Governor Ugwuanyi felicitated with all Muslim faithful, wishing them the blessings and guidance of Allah.
The governor urged Nigerians to embrace the cherished virtues of love, peace, charity and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
He stressed that the significance of the Islamic celebration has a huge positive impact in enhancing the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria as well as the nation’s efforts in surmounting its security, socio-economic and public health challenges.
Obaseki Felicitates with Muslim Faithful, Charges on Unity, Tolerance
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, urging them to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
The governor, in a statement, charged Muslims to use the period to deepen their relationship with Allah and pray for unity, peace and development of the state and Nigeria.
Obaseki noted: “On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I felicitate with Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.
“This year’s Eid-el-Kabir presents yet another opportunity for our Muslim brothers and sisters to deepen their relationship with Allah.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, I call for dedication to the virtues of love, oneness, patriotism, tolerance and unity for the desired development in the state and Nigeria.”
Sule Re-echoes Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has re-echoed the need for Muslims to adhere strictly all COVID-19 protocols.
The governor stated this in his Eid-el-Kabir message to the Muslim faithful, insisting that clerics in the state should ensure that worshippers comply with the COVID-19 guidelines issued for the benefit of the people.
Sule, however, implored Muslim faithful to re-affirm their obedience to Allah’s injunctions as contained in the Holy Qur’an and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
