Our Correspondents

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has congratulated Muslims for successfully completing Ramadan and also, felicitated with them on this year’s Eid-el-Fitri celebration. 

The governor, in his Eid-el-Fitri message wished Muslims a happy, peaceful and rewarding Eid-el-Fitr and also, urged them to imbibe the core values and lessons of Ramadan, such as piety, generosity, peaceful co-existence and justice.

Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, explained that although the season is expected to stir celebrations, the mood in Benue remain sober, owing to the mindless attacks the state has endured since the beginning of the year.

He said the humanitarian crisis rocking the state has overstretched its resources with over 500,000 persons currently displaced and about 180,000 of that number living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

Also, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejoiced wit Muslims over the successful completion of Ramadan.

CAN also seized the opportunity to express its determination and commitment to collaborate with the leadership of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA); to promote peaceful co-existence among adherents of the nation’s two major religions and work towards ensuring unity, peace and progress of the country.

In a statement by CAN President’s Special Assistant, (Media &Communications), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the leadership reiterated its irrevocable commitment to working with the leadership of the SCIA “in promoting peaceful co-existence and ensuring the emergence of a just Nigerian society where justice and equity will become the bonds of our shared humanity, and where none is discriminated on the basis of their religion or social status.

“Considering the many challenges bedevilling our country, CAN is optimistic that the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) will become more vibrant and effective as to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the myriad ills plaguing our country.”
On its part, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) urged Nigerians, particularly Muslims to pray for peaceful elections in 2019.

ACF also called on politicians to play politics that is devoid of bitterness and self interest; in order to achieve harmony and togetherness among all Nigerians.

This was contained in a Sallah message to Muslims across the country by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu.

“In the spirit of the season, ACF calls on Nigerians to embrace peaceful dialogue and forgiveness, as the most civilised means of addressing grievances, rather than engage in hate speeches, threats and intimidation which are capable of degenerating into avoidable conflicts, that do no one or group any good.

The group prayed fervently for peace, unity and understanding among the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general.