By Our Correspondents
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has admonished Muslim faithful to use the Eid-el-Kabir festival to promote unity, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and the spirit of sacrifice.
In a statement to mark this year’s Sallah celebration, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said: “This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation and our dear president for God’s guidance and good health, and for all those in leadership positions, so that God, in his infinite mercy, will continue to guide them as they steer affairs of the country.”
In his own Sallah message, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State called on Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and unity.
He said the significance of the season should go beyond the festivities towards sincere commitment to righteous conducts in private and public lives.
Ondo State governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) advised Muslims to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir to pray for the unity and progress of the country.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, urged Nigerians to “shun all forms of religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments, in the interest of unity, peace, progress and prosperity of not only ourselves, but also the nation.”
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, tasked adherents of Islam and people in higher authority to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience as demonstrated by Prophet Ibraheem who sacrificed his only son in obedience to the will of God which the Eid-el-Kabir commemorates.
Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi
State, Chief David Umahi, in his Sallah message, identified unity and religious tolerance as panacea to achieving peace and development and called on all Muslim faithful to use the opportunity created by the celebration to preach unity in the country.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State urged Muslim faithful “to use the period to continue to promote and abide by the core values of Islam for the sustenance of peace, progress and unity of the country.”
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, admonished the Muslim Ummah in the country and patriotic citizens to sustain prayer for President Muhammadu Buhari and speedy economic recovery during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura, called for support to President Buhari towards ensuring total exit of the economic recession in the country which he said almost affected the reform agenda of the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of godliness, charity, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation as the country celebrates Eid-el-Adha.
Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, charged Nigerians “to be ready to make sacrifices necessary for the progress of the country, which is currently passing through challenging period.”
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, admonished Nigerians to shun acts capable of disrupting the unity, togetherness and peaceful co-existence of the country.
National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said: “This occasion calls for peace, compassion, justice, tolerance and adherence to principles and causes greater and nobler than our own self interests. It asks us to work and strive for the betterment of community and country.”
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice which are the hallmark of the festival.
Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, enjoined Nigerians to continue to persevere and pray for peace and progress as the nation gradually overcomes economic recession with its attendant hardship.
Buhari’s return, special Sallah gift from God
Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) said the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from London after a successful medical treatment is a special gift from God to Nigerians.
In his Sallah message to Kaduna people and Nigerians as a whole, Sani urged the people to put aside their differences and thank God for the good health condition of the president.
“Let us all forget our worries and thank Allah for the recovery, return to duty of President Mohammadu Buhari which I see as Allah’s special Eid gift to Nigerians.”
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, urged Muslim faithful in the country to use the occasion of the Eid el-Kabir for sober reflection.
He called on Muslims to exhibit the spirit of love, obedience to God and sacrifice, which are some of the hallmarks of Eid el-Kabir.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) appealed to Nigerians to continue with their prayers for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari, urging them to eschew all forms of violence and bitterness.
National Chairman of the party, Chief John E. K. Odigie-Oyegun, urge Nigerians to use the holy celebration to rededicate themselves to selfless sacrifices for the benefit of their neighbours and the progress of country.
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, urged Muslim faithful in the country to use the occasion of the Eid el-Kabir for sober reflection.
He called on Muslims to exhibit the spirit of love, obedience to God and sacrifice, which are some of the hallmarks of Eid el-Kabir.
TUC seeks end to treasury looting
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has tasked Nigerian leaders, particularly the Muslim faithful, to use the opportunity offered by this year’s Eid el Kabir celebrations to turn a new leaf and refrain from looting public treasury.
Similarly, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) charged the Muslim faithful to be security conscious during the festive period.
A sallah message by the TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama and Secretary General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi said: “The masses of the country are going through an excruciating experience presently and it behoves on the wealthy and the privileged to empathise with the needy. Painfully and regrettably the order of the day has been flagrant transfer of our commonwealth to foreign banks rather than making it useful for the nation where it is really needed.
This is the time for the leadership at all levels to have a rethink and redraw a workable roadmap capable of transforming the economy of the country.”