At Sallah, Govs, Sultan, Ayu Preach Peace

Our Reporters

As Muslim faithful celebrated eid-el-Kabir nationwide yesterday, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has tasked Nigerians to embrace peace and harmony in the interest of national security and development. 

Also, Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi have urged Nigerians to pray fervently to God to bring the country out of its intractable insecurity.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu also stated that this year’s festival would be the last that Nigerians would celebrate under an atmosphere of doom and gloom.

In their separate messages, they called on Nigerians across all faiths to pray for peace and also provide moral support for the troops fighting daily to keep the federation safe and secure.  

In his message, the Sultan urged Muslims across the federation “to pray for the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria.”

He urged Muslim faithful to pray against insecurity bedevilling the federation, and also imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and sacrifices among each other while asking them to hold on to the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir.

He said: “As such, we should use this period of worship to pray for our leaders, security agencies and the nation to prosper. As leaders we will not get tired of calling on the citizens to continue to pray for our country, therefore we should sustain more prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria.

He also challenged Muslims in the federation “to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to be able to elect leaders of their desire.

Also, felicitating with the Muslim faithful, Tambuwal observed that fellow citizens “are in anguish as a result of being bereaved, wounded, kidnapped or displaced, he lamented.”

He, therefore, urged Muslims across the federation “to use this holy period to pray fervently for the return of peace to our country. Let us cooperate with the security agencies and leaders at all levels in the efforts to secure our society.”

The governor also urged Nigerians to collect their PVCs “to enable them to choose the leaders of our choice, who could salvage our country from the myriads of problems militating against our progress and development.

On his part, el-Rufai, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye commended Nigerians for their patience, saying they would be rewarded for their sacrifices in the quest to move the country forward despite challenges.

 “In these difficult times, let us be buoyed by faith and retain the hope that together we can make things better. Let us embrace the lesson of sacrifice and uphold peace and goodwill towards all,” the Kaduna State governor said.

In his message, Kogi State governor, Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, urged leaders at the helm of affairs and citizens to put aside individual interests in a bid to ensure that the country reaches the pinnacle of development where it belonged.

In a statement he signed yesterday, Nasarawa State Governor,  Sule implored Muslims to re-affirm their obedience to God’s injunctions as contained in the Holy Qur’an.

   Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed, in his message, urged Muslims to use the period to strengthen their existing interpersonal relationships. 

At a session with journalists after Eid prayers yesterday, Katsina State governor, Masari urged Nigerians “to pray fervently to God to bring the country out of the current prevailing security challenges.

He explained that sustained prayers and steadfastness will recuse Nigerians from the current challenging time of banditry and insurgency orchestrated by bandits and terrorists in the country.

 In a Sallah message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika yesterday, Delta State governor, Okowa, charged Nigerians to renew and focus on their hope for a greater Nigeria.

He urged the Islamic faithful to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by him, adding that Nigerians will return to the path of greatness and recovery sooner than later.

Akeredolu, in his message by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, congratulated the faithful in the state and the country at large on the occasion.

Akeredolu charged Muslim faithful to reflect on the essence of the Islamic festival by remembering the less privileged and rededicating themselves to the commands of the Almighty Allah.

Congratulating Muslim faithful nationwide yesterday, the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu said that this year’s Sallah would be the last that Nigerians would celebrate under an atmosphere of doom and gloom.

The PDP national chairman praised the indomitable spirit of the citizens who would not allow the current economic uncertainties to dampen their celebration.  

 “Nigeria has never had it so bad. But we refuse to let fear kill our joy. We are Nigerians. We don’t give up. We believe the darkest hour comes before dawn.  This is why we hold on despite everything. We mourn our dead. 

“We bury our loved ones. We hold our breaths as we travel. We borrow money to pay ransom to kidnappers. Still, we celebrate. Our hope is stronger than our worries, and that Hope is in a brighter future.  

“We refuse to let economic uncertainties dampen our celebration.  We may not have money to slaughter rams and we may not afford the bare necessities of life, still, we celebrate. Our faith in God’s benevolence remains unshaken and unshakable.”