President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some state governors have felicitated the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, urging Nigerians to use this occasion to rededicate themselves to nation building.
President Tinubu in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, greeted Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all over the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah.
Eid-el-Fitr is an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan, a season which reflects total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.
As the president emphasised during an iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, he appealed to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation, stating: “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire.”
The president prayed that the lessons, blessings, and the joys of this season will continue to abide with the people always while wishing Nigerians Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State admonished Muslim faithful to sustain the lessons of sacrifice, discipline and love learnt during the period of Ramadan beyond this period.
The governor said Nigerians must use the period for a sober reflection on the state of things in the country.
While congratulating the Muslim Ummah for completing one of the Five Pillars of Islam, he said: “Remember that moderation is important in everything you do during this period.”
According to him, the Muslim faithful have gone through one of the most rigorous Islamic obligations of one month fasting and prayers as well as other forms of worship.
He urged all believers to imbibe the lessons learnt during the Ramadan period through sacrifice, almsgiving to the needy, continuous exhibition of piety as well as charity to one another.
His Kwara State counterpart AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also rejoiced with the Muslim community on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fast.
The governor, in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, congratulated the leader of the faithful in the state, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, on the successful completion of the fasting period.
He asked the Muslim community to make the noble activities of the holy month — including almsgiving, abstinence from vices, and good conduct — an integral feature of their daily lives.
AbdulRazaq urged the community to unite in doing good things and avoid anything that may eat away the rewards of their fast or question their sincerity as devotees.
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni also congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the one-month Ramadan fast.
Buni enjoined the Muslims to be good neighbours and extend the spirit of the season to their neighbours
According to him, “As we celebrate the Eid-el-fitr, marking the end of the one month religious obligation, l enjoin us all to take the lessons of sacrifice, care and compassion exhibited during the fasting period beyond the Ramadan season.
“I am particularly impressed with the massive feeding programme provided by government, individuals, and corporate organisations to orphans, indigent families, and vulnerable groups. This should be encouraged even after Ramadan,” Buni said.
In a goodwill message signed by the director of press and public affairs, Gyang Bere, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang rejoiced with the Muslim faithful and commended their dedication to selfless sacrifices, self-denial, and spiritual renewal.
He encouraged them to embody the essence of Ramadan by advocating good manners, humility, kindness, and charitable deeds towards the less privileged, both during and beyond the fasting period.
Governor Diri of Bayelsa State, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said as one of the key pillars of Islam, Ramadan was important for developing the virtues of self-renunciation in every true Muslim.
The governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state and the nation on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He urged them to continue to exhibit the lessons of Ramadan, including the virtues of love, tolerance, and perseverance to move the state and Nigeria forward.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu urged Muslims in the state and in the country to exhibit the true spirit of peace and love in their daily dealings with men of all faith, saying Islam as a religion of peace frowns on violence in whatever guise.
The governor, who congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the success of this year’s Ramadan, urged them to inculcate the lessons learnt during the Ramadan fast to bring about positive impacts on their neighbours and the larger society.
Reflect On Lessons Of Ramadan – Atiku, Obi
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday congratulated Muslims in the country for the successful completion of the mandatory fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
Atiku, in a press statement by his office on Tuesday, said that lessons of the Ramadan fasting should remain long after the holy month has passed.
He also noted that while this year’s Ramadan fast was observed in a season of tough economic conditions, the forbearance with which Nigerian Muslims adopted it is a principle that the noble Prophet Muhammed (SAW) enjoins them to live by at all times.
“For many Nigerians who observed the mandatory Ramadan fast this year, the reality of the harsh economic environment in the country put many families and individuals under intense pressure.
“But in the face of this daunting challenge, many people pulled through out of seeking piety. The completion of Ramadan should cause a reflection on those in positions of authority to show more compassion to the people.”
Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, urged Nigerian Muslims to use the window availed by Sallah to seek God’s intervention in the bloodshed in Nigeria.
Obi asked the people not to allow the prevailing unprecedented hardship in the country to affect their spirit of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence
Rather Obi said the people should use this year’s Eid-El Fitr festivities to engender the spirit of oneness and also re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism and unity for the desired national development.
In a statement issued by one of his aides, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the LP presidential candidate said that it was discomforting the amount of blood being shed in this country daily and asked that the situation be taken to Allah for his prompt intervention.
CAN, Others Urge Peace, Tolerance, Unity
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on political leaders at all levels of governance to promote unity and peaceful coexistence by embodying moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.
The president of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who made this call in his Salah message to Nigerians yesterday, said leadership guided by integrity, accountability, and selflessness is essential in steering Nigeria towards a path of sustainable development and unity.
Okoh said that as they join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, Nigerians should recommit themselves to upholding the values of honesty, transparency, and equity in all their endeavours.
CAN further reaffirmed its commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for the greater good of Nigeria, saying that together, let Nigerians embrace the diversity that enriches the country’s cultural tapestry and work hand in hand towards a future where peace and prosperity reign supreme.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) extends warm felicitations to our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith as they celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitri.
“As the Muslim community marks the end of Ramadan, a period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual renewal, we join in recognizing the significance of this day and express our solidarity,” he said.
The deputy president of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ismail Mudashir, prayed Allah SWT to accept supplications, prayers and the good deeds of the Ummah during the blessed Month.
Barau, who is the acting Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, urged all to sustain the lessons of the Holy Month and always reflect it in their daily activities.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, in his own Sallah message through his special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, equally urged Muslims to internalise the lessons learnt from the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Expressing confidence that Almighty Allah has answered their prayers and supplication during the Holy Month, the Speaker said the Muslims and other citizens should remain steadfast, determined, and patriotic for the nation to forge ahead.
Similarly, Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, in his Sallah message issued by his special assistant on press affairs, Udora Orizu, urged Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, to continue to devote themselves to prayers for unity, peaceful coexistence and progress of the nation.
He called on Nigerians to use the occasion to promote national integration, and continue keeping faith with the leadership of the country, assuring that the country would soon witness the type of greatness desired by citizens.
