President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to further the values of tolerance, generosity and peaceful coexistence.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He made the call after leading the congregational prayers at Dodan Barracks in Lagos on Wednesday, urging citizens to shun ethnic divisions and all forms of hatred that undermine national unity.
He was joined in prayers by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other dignitaries.
Tinubu said the sacred occasion is still a great reminder of obedience, sacrifice, love for humanity and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
“We thank Almighty Allah for allowing us to witness another year of Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Him for His mercy and we should learn from the lessons of this season which is to show love one to another. No discrimination, no ethnicity, no hatred We should love and be kind to each other in a way that reflects the values of our country and humanity.
\”It is very important that we be very tolerant and obedient to the wishes of Allah and the rule of law that must guide our society\”, the President said.
He stressed that the strength of Nigeria is in its diversity and common humanity, adding that no ethnic, religious or political difference should be more important than the collective aspiration for peace, progress and national development.
The President called on citizens to consider the abiding lessons of the season by being kind to one another, supporting the less privileged and attaching more value to the sanctity of human life, saying that banditry has no place in the holy books.
“In the holy teachings, nowhere does it say that you should engage in banditry or take a human life. And the sacrifice, of which we speak, even from the beginning of life, we get these lessons, that a child was replaced by an animal. “That is the price of a human life,” said the President.
The Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, in his sermon, called on Muslims to fear Allah and foster unity, generosity and sacrifice in the spirit of the Holy Book.
He prayed for the President’s continued good health and wisdom, and commended the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past leaders who built a united nation.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has also urged Nigerians to close ranks and embrace shared sacrifice as the country forges ahead with its economic and security reforms under President Bola Tinubu.
In his Eid-el-Kabir message on Wednesday, Shettima said the values of faith, obedience and compassion demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim remain vital for Nigeria’s quest for peace, stability and inclusive growth.
“This is a moment for reflection, to step out to the vulnerable, to bridge our communities,” he said. “Whatever divides us is far less than what unites us. “In order for Nigeria to progress, we must strengthen the spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”
The vice-president cautioned that division and mistrust erode national development. He urged citizens to put aside ethnic, religious and political differences to face the country’s challenges together.
Shettima said the Tinubu administration is committed to the fight against insecurity, stabilising the economy, creating jobs and expanding opportunities.
He said the reforms are necessary to secure a stronger future, but acknowledged they will take patience.
“I call on Nigerians to support the government’s agenda, emphasizing that unity and shared sacrifice are crucial in tackling insecurity, poverty and social dislocation.
He said restoration of peace remains a top priority for the citizens, adding that the sacrifices of the armed forces and security agencies were commendable.
Nigeria is moving steadily towards peace, recovery and sustainable development.
“But the dawn will come, no matter how long the night,” he said.
Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has called on the Muslim faithful to use the occasion of Eid el-Kabir to pray for peace, unity, love and social cohesion in Nigeria.
Nwifuru made the call in a goodwill message issued on Wednesday in Abakaliki by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.
The governor said the country’s myriad challenges necessitated spiritual intervention through sincere prayers and supplications to Allah.
He said that religious occasions like the Eid-el-Kabir offered an opportunity for Nigerians to seek divine intervention in the nation’s challenges.
The truth is that sacred occasions, events and seasons like these provide us not only the opportunity, but the rare privilege to look for spiritual solutions to the plethora of physical challenges confronting us as a nation.
“Eid-el-Kabir is such an opportunity graciously given to us to seek Allah’s face and intervention,” Nwifuru said.
He described peace, unity and love as critical ingredients for national development and harmonious co-existence in a pluralistic society.
He added: “As we celebrate this sacred event, I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray for peace across the country, unity in pursuit of a common national goal and love for one another to ensure social cohesion.”
The governor also reiterated the resolve of his administration to advance interfaith relations through continuous engagement with religious organisations.
He noted that partnership with faith-based groups remained critical to delivering good governance under his administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs” agenda.
“We will continue to work with religious organisations in delivering good governance as enshrined in the People’s Charter of Needs agenda,” he said.
Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has described the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration as a sacred season of faith, sacrifice, obedience and compassion, urging Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa said this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls in Government House Benin City, reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
He said the present administration remains committed to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, saying competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we are committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. That is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Governor Okpebholo thanked the Muslim community in Edo State for their steadfast support and constant prayers for his administration, stating that such prayers and support have contributed greatly to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
He then urged all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I call on all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to seize this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
Speaking earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor Esq, lauded Governor Okpebholo for his support and goodwill to the Muslim community in Edo State.
The governor, he said, is a leader that has always demonstrated love, fairness and inclusiveness in governance adding that Muslims in the state are still grateful for the opportunities and recognition given by the present administration.
He stated that Governor Okpebholo’s policies and appointments have continued to be a source of hope and joy to the Muslim faithful and assured him of the community’s continued loyalty and support.
The Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, in his remarks, commended the governor for what he termed as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration on the ongoing infrastructural development and efforts towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has called on Nigerians, especially Muslim faithfuls across the country to continue praying for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader who is deeply committed to tackling Nigeria’s challenges and moving the nation forward.
The call came when he received leaders and members of the Muslim community in Ebonyi State at his residence in Abakaliki as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He said the gathering is in the spirit of unity and peaceful co-existence that has continued to define Ebonyi State over the years.
“Muslims of different ethnic backgrounds including Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba extraction have always been part of the annual Sallah celebration hosted by me and my family,” he said.
“And those of Igbo extraction, Hausa extraction, and Yoruba extraction, all in Ebonyi State, every year, during Sallah, we have always invited them. Sometimes we join them with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN to celebrate because I strongly believe that we are worshiping one God,” he said.
Senator Umahi disclosed that he invited the Muslim faithfuls to support them with gifts such as cash, bags of rice and groundnut oil to enable them celebrate the Sallah festival happily with their families.
“Today I invited them to give them presents, money, rice and groundnut oil so that they can buy their rams and celebrate,” he said.
The Minister used the occasion to passionately appeal to Nigerians to pray for the success, strength and re-election of President Tinubu, saying the President remains focused on solving the country’s numerous challenges.
“I also encourage them to pray for the President. We need to pray for the President for health, strength and his re-election because the President means well for Nigeria. He has the interest of our country at heart,” Umahi said.
He further expressed his confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership capacity, saying that none of the critics of the administration has presented a more practical alternative to the reforms being implemented.
I don’t see another person with the kind of commitment he has to the daunting challenges we have in Nigeria and nobody has been able to come out and say, ‘Listen, this particular area that you are criticizing, this is the best way to go about it.” So, let us pray for the President,” he said.
The Minister also prayed for Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the state, praying God to continue to strengthen them to deliver more democratic dividends to the people.
Pray for all our governors as well. We pray for the President, we pray for Governor Nwifuru, we pray for all the APC candidates, that God will strengthen and keep them, and continue to help them deliver the dividends of democracy, especially in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Senator Umahi also wished the Muslim faithfuls in Ebonyi State and Nigeria happy Sallah, and specially wished President Tinubu happy Sallah celebration.
I want to wish not just those in ebonyi state, but our muslim brothers and sisters all over the country, a happy Sallah. And I say happy Sallah especially to Mr President”.
