President Bola Tinubu has joined Muslims in Nigeria and all over the world in observance of Eid-el-Kabir.
In his Sallah message to Nigerians, he gave assurance that his government will make the country a better place for all.
In a statement he personally signed, the president said it was true that Nigeria was going through a difficult time, but that there is hope ahead.
“At the moment, our country is going through some challenges especially with our struggling economy and simmering security challenges. While I acknowledge all of these, I want to assure you that they are not insurmountable. I am working day and night with my team, fleshing out solutions. We have started with the decisions taken so far, to reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth.
“As we embrace the present challenges, we must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that our tomorrow shall be better and brighter,” he said
According to him, Eid-el-Kabir coming at the end of religious activities spanning the first ten days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah enjoins the faithful to show mercy and compassion to fellow humans.
He further explained that Eid-el-Kabir is a festival of sacrifice and total obedience to Allah as exemplified in the exceptional action of Prophet Ibrahim.
He said there is no greater sense of duty recorded in history than the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as a sacrifice to Allah.
“The best way by which we can demonstrate this example is in how we conduct ourselves in relation to our fellow citizens and in our duties to our beloved country.
“We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahim’s life, namely – complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion.”
In his Sallah message, former President Muhammadu Buhari wished Nigerian Muslims a happy Eid and to those on pilgrimage, Hajj Mabrur and a safe return home.
In a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu said “leading a country like Nigeria is one of the hardest challenges in life” and urged Nigerians to fully support the Tinubu administration to succeed.
“Leadership is a challenging task that demands the sacrifices and support of the citizens,” he said.
For his part, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya enjoined Muslims to sustain their prayers for the peace, security and prosperity of the state and the nation at large, especially the new dispensation.
He stressed the need to continue to supplicate to the will of Allah in all situations and enjoined Muslims to sustain their prayers for the peace, security and prosperity of the state and the nation at large, especially the new dispensation.
In the Sallah message released by his director-general, Press Affairs, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor who doubles as the chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum, urged the Muslim ummah to use the occasion to extend hands of support and love and good neighbourliness as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and upheld by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In his own message, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the virtues of love, obedience, and sacrifices as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S).
In a Sallah message by his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor stressed the significance of Eid-el-Kabir to Muslims and called on them to use the occasion to deepen their faith and submission to the will of Allah.
He said, “I congratulate all Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. I call on you to imbibe and reflect on the great lessons of the festival of sacrifice which are the hallmarks of Islam.
“As you celebrate, show piety, make a personal sacrifice to the common good and collective interests of the people.”
On his part, Plateau State governor Barrister Caleb Mutfwang urged Muslim ummah in the country to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, sacrifice and love for mankind as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.
Mutfwang, in a goodwill message to mark the Eid-El Kabir celebration, signed by the director of press and public affairs Gyang Bere, reassured the peace-loving people of Plateau State that his administration is for all.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also congratulated the Muslim community on the Eid-el-Kabir festivities, saying the feast symbolises faith and total reliance on God.
The governor also felicitated the pilgrims who gathered at Mount Arafah in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, a major pillar of their Hajj rites.
He prayed to Allah to accept their pilgrimage and supplications, urging them to commit Nigeria to the hand of God.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has admonished Muslim faithful in the state to make giving and sacrifice their lifestyle as they celebrate this year’s sallah.
Governor Bello, in a Sallah message personally signed by him, advised Muslims to embrace the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as their watchword in all they do.
He said, “Today, let us draw inspiration from the exemplary virtues demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim: his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity, and unwavering obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority. These qualities should guide us as we face the contemporary challenges of nation-building, reminding us of our shared heritage and the destiny of national greatness that awaits the people of Kogi State, both within and outside the country”.
The secretary to the government of the federation, Sen. George Akume, has equally felicitated with Nigerians, particularly, the Muslim faithful, on the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The SGF, in a statement by his media office, urged them to use the period of the celebration to reflect on the purpose and lessons of the Eid-el-Kabir which include sacrifice, love, charity and piety among others for peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship with one another.
He enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as he works hard to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda for the unity and sustainable national growth and development.
The apex northern socio cultural group. Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has also greeted Muslims as they celebrate the Eid-el Kabir.
ACF, in a statement Ina statement signed by its chairman, Architect Gabriel Aduku, enjoined Nigerians to emulate the teachings and sacrifice therein, to pray for the Nation, pray for peace and unity as well as pray for Allah’s special intervention in the country’s socioeconomic wellbeing.
Pilgrims Pray For Nigeria’s Peace, Unity, Economic Prosperity
Islamic scholars and pilgrims from Nigeria spent a significant part of Arafat day, the most important day in the hajj ritual, to pray for peace, national unity and economic prosperity.
A team of clerics, under the umbrella of the Ulama committee of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), took turns to offer prayers at a special session organised by the committee in collaboration with leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The worshippers used the occasion to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led new administration to succeed, asking the Almighty Allah to give the president and his team the wisdom and strength to confront many challenges facing the Nigerian nation and its citizens.
In his special sermon for the day, Sheikh Ahmad Suleiman, a Kano-based famous Qur’anic reciter, outlined the significance of the day, saying day of Arafat is the best of all and the day prayers are answered.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to guide President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in piloting the affair of Nigeria just as urged the President and leaders at all levels of authority in Nigeria to be just and fair to all people irrespective of their background.
Cleric after cleric at the special gathering prayed for peace and unity of the country.
In his remarks, chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, congratulated all the Nigerian pilgrims for the opportunity to be part of the historic Arafat day and a successful Hajj.
He said Nigeria, with over 95, 000 pilgrims, has the 5th largest contingent of pilgrims at the Arafat ground in this year and commended the Ulamaa for organising the national prayer for the country, urging them and pilgrims not to relent in praying for the wellbeing of the Nigerian nation.
After the national prayer for Nigeria at the Arafat ground, pilgrims were transported in batches to Muzdalifah where they spent the night before moving to Muna this morning, and then began movement to Jamarat in batches for the symbolic stoning of evil.
Police, NSCDC Raise Security Bar Nationwide
Meanwhile, the inspector-general of police, Ag. IGP Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of adequate security personnel and assets in strategic places ahead of the Sallah celebration.
He also assured the general public of sustained efforts by the Force in tackling crimes and criminality, and improved public safety and security across the country.
The IGP gave the assurance while urging commissioners of police (CPs) in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and their supervisory assistant inspectors-general of police (AIGs), to configure the security architecture in their Areas of Responsibility (AoRs) for robust and responsive policing ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration which comes up on Wednesday 28th June 2023, to ensure adequate security for the citizenry throughout the festivities and beyond.
The IGP particularly directed the zonal AIGs and state command CPs to deploy human and other operational assets to carry out confidence building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship, other places of public resort and around all critical national infrastructure devoid of harassment and extortion.
Force PRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the IGP equally warned that personnel deployed must be disciplined, professional, respect the fundamental rights of the citizens, and fulfill their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.
The inspector-general of police, while congratulating Muslim faithful in the country on the occasion of the year 2023 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, restated that the Force would harness all available assets, including relevant groups, associations, sectors, and synergize with other security agencies to boost its service delivery and stabilize general security within the nation.
Towards ensuring peaceful Salah celebration, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has deployed no fewer than 40,000 officers and men to provide maximum security for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival across the nation.
The corps commandant-general, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in a statement signed by the agency’s director of press, Commandant Olusola Odumosu, also assured Nigerians of a hitch-free celebration.
The NSCDC boss, according to the statement, directed immediate deployment of 40,000 personnel nationwide including those deployed for protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and joint operations.
He urged all heads of formation to leave no stone unturned in ensuring effective security coverage of the country.
