Despite the astronomical rise in insecurity characterised by gory attacks as well as persistent hardship, Nigerians yesterday defied the challenges and joined their counterparts globally to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
LEADERSHIP Sunday checks however revealed that the Sallah celebrations were peaceful and free of attacks by terror group, including the Boko Haram sect and bandits.
The annual celebrations which begin with prayers at praying grounds across the country also witnessed the slaughtering of rams, sharing of food and visits to loved ones.
This is just as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-el-kabir celebration.
According to a statement signed by the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, the council urged the adherents to continue to reflect on Eid-el-Kabir lessons which include love, obedience, sacrifice and compassion among others.
“FEC therefore implores believers to continue to promote national unity, peaceful co-existence for stability in order to enhance growth and development in all sectors of the nation’s economy.
“It wishes Nigerians a happy and successful Eid-el-kabir celebration,” the SGF bsaid.
Similarly, northern governors yesterday felicitated with the Muslim Ummah as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir, urging them to imbibe the spirit of unity, collaboration and sacrifice among all Nigerians.
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, who stated the position of the northern governors in a Sallah message, congratulated the Muslim Ummah for commemorating another significant event in the Muslim calendar which brings to fore the message of sacrifice, love, tolerance and unity as preached by the Holy Prophet (PBH).
In a statement issued in Jos and signed by his director of press and public affairs, Dr Makut Simon Macham, Lalong urged Muslims to celebrate the significant spiritual event by reflecting on the issues that Nigeria has been confronted with such as insecurity, intolerance, religious bigotry, ethnic bias and poverty among others that can only be tackled when there is unity, collaboration and sacrifice among all Nigerians.
He said the matters that are weighing down national progress are such that Nigerians must look beyond such as parochial and selfish interests to enable people from all strata of society to get equal opportunities to contribute to solutions irrespective of their backgrounds.
While expressing optimism that Nigeria will surely overcome its challenges, Lalong challenged all stakeholders to work hard in building values and ethos that promote national agenda, equity, justice, fairness and respect for diversity particularly now that political activities are in top gear.
Love, Sacrifice, Prayers, Unity Of Purpose Panacea To Insecurity – Gombe Governor
Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has described the Eid el-Kabir festivity as a period of sacrifice, sharing and caring.
He urged Muslim faithful to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, unity of purpose and obedience as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and upheld by Prophet Muhammad (SAW), saying they are panacea to the growing insecurity and socio-economic challenges in the country.
The governor felicitated with the Muslim Ummah in the state and across the world on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebrations.
In a goodwill message released by Ismaila Uba Misilli, his director-general, Press Affairs, the governor also urged them to remain steadfast in prayers for peace, prosperity and development of the state as well as for an end to the current insecurity and other socio-economic challenges bedeviling the nation.
Governor Yahaya said, “This period reminds us of Allah’s unconditional love to mankind and the need for us to replicate same spirit in our homes and communities as well as in our daily lives for the overall peace and unity of the state and nation.
“Although the nation is currently grappling with myriad of socio-economic challenges which are stagnating her process of development, such should not distract us from learning the good lessons of the Eid-el- Kabir festival which teaches compassion, selfishness, love and obedience to the commands of Almighty Allah.”
Governor Inuwa further expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community and religious leaders as well as the entire good people of Gombe state for their continued support and cooperation to his administration.
He promised to continue to remain resolute in his determination to execute people-oriented policies, programmes and projects required for the socio-economic development of the state.”
With the 2023 general elections fast approaching, the governor reminded the people of the State to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to obtain their PVCs In order to be eligible to exercise their rights to elect credible leaders.
He urged the people to be security-conscious and report any act of breach of law and order capable of threatening the prevailing peace in the state, while affirming that, “On our part, Government will not abdicate from its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people and will continue to support the security agencies in their efforts towards ensuring peace and security of our dear state.”
The governor also assured to continue to build on the successes so far recorded towards changing the dynamics of socio-economic development of Gombe and putting it on a remarkable pedestal of growth, through the provision of critical infrastructure, human capital development, industrialization drive and agricultural transformation among others.
He called for prayers for steady rainfall and bumper harvest, urging the citizenry to keep the environment clean, clear their drainages and avoid flood-prone areas as proactive measures against flood.
He prayed for a hitch-free and peaceful Eid celebration full of blessings and benevolence of Almighty Allah.
Niger Governor, Etsu Nupe Harp On Virtue Of Sacrifice For Peace, Security
Also, in pursuit of peace and security, governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as well as former governor of the state, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, asked Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, obedience and submission to the will of Allah as Muslims celebrate Eidel Kabir.
The governor who spoke in an interview after the two rakat prayers led by the chief Imam of Minna, Ibrahim fari, said the security challenges this year had beens daunting/
Calling for more prayers from all Muslims at the occasion, he said, “It is a fact that we have been facing security challenges and while the security agencies are doing their best to curtail the situation, I think it is time for us to reflect on our various capacities and religions to pray for this country.
“It has been a difficult year as far as security is concern but I believe that with God’s intervention and the prayers of the people, Nigeria will be a safer, peaceful and more united country”.
Also speaking after the two rakat prayers in Bida, the Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, who is also the chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, said, “Today’s celebration is in commemoration of total submissiveness and obedience to the will of Allah, as exemplified by Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail. It is also a lesson on the virtue of keeping our promises to Allah and to our fellow men,”
The royal father advised Muslims to shun societal ills and always endeavour to do good for the betterment of all.
He urged the Muslim Ummah in his kingdom and the country at large to reflect on the significance of the celebration, which borders on encouraging piety, sacrifice and love.
He said the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, even as he admonished Nigerians to strive to live in peace with each other, irrespective of religious, political, cultural and ethnic affinity.
The Etsu Nupe charged Muslim faithful to pray to God to assist President Muhammadu Buhari, other elected and appointed leaders to overcome both the current economic and security challenges bedeviling the country.
He advised the people of his emirate to always monitor any suspicious movements within their domain as well as that of their children to stem the habit of drugs.
Also speaking, the former Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu appealed to Islamic Clerics to preach about peaceful community life, as the relationship between man to man is important as much seeking for salvation.
Ganduje Urges Muslims To Pray For Nigeria
On his part, Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on Nigerians to fervently pray for God’s protection and deliverance of the nation from its security challenges.
In a Sallah message issued by the commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the governor expressed misgivings that Nigeria was celebrating yet another festive period in the midst of banditry and terrorism despite government’s effort to Control the situation.
He, however, urged the people not to despair and miss the essence and meaning of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities and the divine succor it brings.
“The significance of the Sallah celebration has a huge impact on entrenching peace, unity and progress of Nigeria as well as the nation’s efforts in surmounting its security challenges,” the statement added.
Ganduje also stressed the need for deep reflection on the lessons of the celebration which includes sacrifice, love, peace and harmony.
He observed that with the nation gearing up for intense political activities, there is the need for political actors to play according to the rules of the game.
Ikpeazu Salutes Muslims On Eid-el-Kabir
Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday sent a message of goodwill to the Muslim community in the state on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
Ikpeazu described the occasion as a time to remember and appreciate Allah’s great sacrifice for the world, urging them to imbibe its lessons of forgiveness and love for one another.
He further assured that his administration shall continue to uphold the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion of every citizen of the state within the ambit of the law.
Soludo Pask Muslims On Peace, Welfare Of Less Privileged
Anambra Sttate governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, urged Muslim faithful, the governor urged them to use the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations to reflect on the state of the nation and live in peace
He admonished Muslims to emulate the righteousness and great virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), stressing that the essence of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration is to offer sacrifice, express and extend love, for a peaceful coexistence in the country and the world at large.
Governor Soludo urged them to celebrate with modesty and to remember the less-privileged amongst them in the society
He said, “Let the teachings of humility and love of the Eid-el-Kabir define your relationship with fellow Muslims and other citizens.
“Love is central for God’s mercies and blessings to flourish. Let us learn to love and accommodate one another.
“I urge you not to lose hope in the country, irrespective of the security and economic challenges in the country”.
He also urged Muslims and other Nigerians to pray for the country especially as the march for the 2023 general election gathers steam, adding that without peace, not much can be achieved.
We Are Retooling To Tackle Insecurity – Dingyadi
Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has said the federal government is retooling the nation’s security infrastructure to tackle insecurity across the country.
The minister, who stated this while facilitating with Nigerian Muslims at home and in the diaspora on the occasion of 2022 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, also said the recent deployment of 10,000 trained police constables to their local governments of origin will help in advancing community policing strategy to enhance human intelligence.
The minister also said that the desperate attempts by terrorists elements to raise apprehension in the country is receiving serious attention with a view to renewing strategies, to neutralize their capabilities and bring them to justice.
While noting the significance of Eid-el-kabir which signifies sacrifice, selflessness and obedient to God, the minister thanked Nigerians for their resilience towards building a strong, democratic and prosperous Nigeria.
Part of the Eid-el-Kabir message signed by the minister’s press secretary, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, read that “Dr. Dingyadi enjoins Nigerians not to relent in supporting government’s commitment to retooling the nation’s security infrastructure to enhance safety of lives and property.
Minister Urges Residents To Maintain Friendship, Peace
Meanwhile, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has called on Muslims and entire residents of the FCT to strengthen the bonds of friendship, and unity and to reinforce the values of peaceful coexistence that have been the hallmark of FCT citizens.
Bello who made the call in his Eid-el-Kabir message to FCT residents as they celebrated Sallah yesterday said the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir are sacrifice and piety, which FCT residents have exhibited in great measure.
“As we therefore celebrate, I salute your steadfastness. I once again wish to remind residents that the FCT was founded on the noble principles of unity and peace and built on a foundation of national strength and perseverance. We should stand firm on these premises and resist all attempts to truncate our march to attaining our desired goals.
Pray For PMB, APC Tells Nigerians
The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday asked Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to get rid of the security challenges confronting the country.
In its Sallah message to Muslims yesterday, the APC asked Nigerians to put the interest of the nation first.
A statement by the party’s national publicity secretary, Barr Felix Morka, noted: “We urge Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as it tackles our national security challenges just as we continue to reject insensitive and unpatriotic attempts by some partisans to politicise security breaches by enemies of our land.
“On this occasion of Eid-El-Kabir, we urge all Muslims to pray for sustained peace, security and prosperity of the country as the APC-led government continues to prioritize the wellbeing and safety of all Nigerians.
“On this occasion of Eid-El-Kabir, we urge all Nigerians to place national interest first in all dealings. We must not yield to retrogressive elements who seek to divide us through terror and hate.”
