Nigerian Muslims yesterday joined their counterparts worldwide to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) with gusto.
The event attracted well-wishes from political, religious and traditional leaders, who admonished Muslims to embrace the virtues of the Holy Prophet.
In Bauchi State, Muslims held a Maulud procession featuring thousands of Islamic school children from different parts of the state.
They were dressed in their uniforms and marched from Kobi Football field ground to streets in the city singing various Islamic songs in honour of the Prophet Mohammad.
Also, in the procession were horse riders, motorcyclists and Islamic singers who dressed in their traditional regalia and new uniforms praising the Prophet. Some danced to add excitement to the celebration.
An Islamic scholar Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi prayed for sustainable peace and economic stability in Nigeria.
He also prayed for Allah’s blessing, development and guidance for Nigerian leaders to enable them to tackle the hardship and woes in the country.
Sheikh Bauchi who earlier led night event of the celebration in Bauchi on Tuesday, advised Muslims to live in peace with one another and always pray for the stability and the development of the country.
Muslims from the United States of America (USA), Egypt, England, Morocco, Senegal, Chad, Niger Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ghana and the 36 states of the federation attended the occasion.
In his message to the Nigerian Muslim community, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas urged the adherents to emulate the Prophet, noting that his life and teachings would continue to inspire more generations to come.
In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Musa Krishi, the speaker said the period called for sober reflection on the life and time of the Holy Prophet.
Abbas said the Prophet was the most peace-loving human being to have ever lived on earth.
Similarly, the deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, congratulated Muslims faithful on the celebration of Eid-el-Maulud.
In a statement issued by his chief press secretary (CPS), Livinus Nwabughiogu, the deputy speaker urged Muslims to imbibe the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad and show love to one another, especially the needy in the society.
He asked the adherents of Islam and other Nigerians to continue to uphold the values of peace and unity and pray fervently for the progress of the country, declaring that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not fail Nigerians.
Also, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah and all Nigerians on the occasion.
Ganduje in a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Mr Edwin Olofu, called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religions and political leanings to remain tolerant and imbibe the culture of peaceful coexistence required for the unity and progress of the country.
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni described the event as a moment of sober reflection, love, peace and sacrifice.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State charged Nigerians to reflect on the timeless virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
In a statement to mark the event, Governor Yahaya urged the Muslim community to draw inspiration from the Prophet’s teachings of service, peaceful co-existence and exemplary leadership.
The governor emphasised the importance of embodying the values of tolerance, humility, modesty, and generosity, all of which were exemplified by the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
His Adamawa State counterpart Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri urged Muslims to offer fervent prayers for the peace and development of the state.
Through his chief press secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, in a statement, said, “On this joyous occasion of Eid-el-Maulud, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to all Muslims in Adamawa State, Nigeria, and around the world; may this celebration bring you peace, happiness, and blessings,” he said.
In his message, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the Eid-El-Maulud is not just a celebration, but an essential moment for introspection, reflection, and a recommitment to the spiritual virtues exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
The governor, in a statement released by his chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, implored Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance, and perseverance, which are the cornerstones of the Prophet’s teachings and life.
Also, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State called on Nigerians to learn to coexist peacefully regardless of their religious beliefs, adding that doing so would promote peace and accelerate the country’s development.
In an Eid-el-Maulud message issued by his senior special assistant on media, Dan Nwomeh, Governor Mbah expressed his congratulations to the Muslim community in the state, Nigeria, and throughout the world as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
Mbah urged the Muslim Ummah to always exhibit the same humility, empathy, and sympathy for the poor and needy as exhibited by Prophet Muhammad, and to not let the lessons of Eid-el-Mualud slip their minds.
Similarly, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang encouraged the Muslim Ummah to offer prayers for the unity, peace, and progress of the state.
In a statement issued in Jos by his director of press and public affairs Gyang Bere, the governor urged them to pray earnestly for an end to the security challenges facing both the state and the nation as a whole.
Mutfwang charged Muslims to follow the teachings and values of Prophet Muhammed, emphasising love, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, urged Muslims to reflect on the prophet’s teachings, embrace the values of charity, empathy, kindness, unity, love for one another, which the great prophet preached.
The governor made the appeal in his goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah in Imo State and other parts of the country.
Uzodimma’s message which he personally wrote reads: “As we commemorate the blessed birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW, I extend my warmest greetings and felicitations to the Muslim ummah in Imo State and across the nation. This occasion is a moment of profound significance, celebrating the birth of the greatest messenger of peace and compassion.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also called on Christians and Muslims to persist in promoting mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all religious communities.
CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in his Eld El Maulaud message, congratulated His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and all Muslims across Nigeria on the auspicious occasion of Eid-el-Maulud.
Okoh said as Nigerians commemorate this significant festival, they should acknowledge the country’s diverse society, comleaderprising individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
The Etsu Nupe and chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, asked Muslims to use the period to reflect on the virtues of love, tolerance and compassion exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
Etsu Nupe, who made the call yesterday in his goodwill message to the Muslims celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad, said “the prophet became famous for his life of humility, justice and fairness.
The royal father said the prophet demonstrated “a remarkable life of patience under provocation and honoured treaties with non-Muslims for peaceful coexistence.”
“Honesty was one of Muhammad’s greatest virtues and every good Muslim should follow his example,” the monarch added.
