Prominent Nigerians and organisations have called for more prayers for the country and reduction of the prices of essential goods and services as Muslims began the Ramadan fast yesterday.
The Ramadan fasting, which is observed by Muslims globally, commenced yesterday in many countries, including Nigeria, after the sighting of the moon.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world for witnessing another Ramadan, urged them to pray for their country.
The Speaker, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Krishi, noted that there is no better time to pray for Nigeria than in the Holy Month, saying the country needs divine intervention more than ever before.
Abbas urged not only Muslims but all Nigerians to pray for the unity of the country and for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to be able to tackle the numerous socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation.
Similarly, the deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and all over the world on another Ramadan, appealing for more prayers for Nigeria to overcome its challenges.
In a statement by his special assistant on press affairs, Udora Orizu, Kalu urged the Muslims to use the Holy Month to pray for an enhanced peace and security of Nigeria even as he bemoaned the spate of killings and destruction of properties in the country.
On his part, the minister of steel development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, called on Muslim ummah to pray for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria during the Ramadan.
In statement by his media aide, Lizzy Okoji, Prince Audu recalled that the period of Ramadan was a time for the faithful to engage in good deeds and show love and kindness to everyone.
On its part, the All Progressives Congress (APC) enjoined the Muslim Ummah to use the Holy month of Ramadan for deep reflections, spiritual rejuvenation and greater devotion to Allah.
APC, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, said Ramadan is a season of renewed devotion to Almighty Allah, and service to nation and humanity.
“As this year’s Ramadan commences, our great party urges prayers for Nigeria’s prosperity, security and unity. It also behooves us to pray for our leaders at all levels, and extend love and care to the less-privileged around us.
Also, the Kano State House of Assembly has urged the Muslim Ummah in the state to use the opportunity of the Ramadan to pray for the state and country at large.
The speaker of the Assembly, Hon Jibrin Ismail Falgore, in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Kamaludeen Sani Shawai, urged worshippers to reflect on the shared qualities of compassion, sharing and supporting one another especially in this hard time.
He expressed concern over the high cost of living, particularly the increasing prices of commodities, and reiterated the lawmakers’ unwavering commitment to collaborating with the state government in taking the necessary steps to alleviate sufferings, especially during the month of Ramadan.
Shawai quoted Falgore to have emphasised the importance of sacrificing more for the poor and demonstrating a greater commitment to addressing the needs of the less fortunate.
On its path, the National Youth Alliance (NYA) has urged government at all levels to ease the suffering of Nigerians by finding a way to crash the soaring prices of food items.
The group expressed this in a statement signed by the special assistant on media and publicity to the NYA president, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and made available to newsmen on Monday March 11.
“Nigerians are in very difficult times at the moment and several families are finding it difficult to get a meal in a day, due to the inflation that has made prices of food items soar beyond the reach of the common man.
“As Ramadan begins, we are worried that if nothing is done, many families would be fasting on empty stomachs,” he said.
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