Muslim pilgrims praying on the Plain of Arafat near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia... on Thursday.
| credits: AP
| credits: AP
PRESIDENT
Goodluck Jonathan, governors and lawmakers on Thursday urged Muslims in
the country to renew their resolve and commitment to building a united
Nigeria as they join their counterparts across the world to celebrate
Eid-el-kabir today.
In their Eid-el-kabir messages,
Jonathan, governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Idris Wada (Kogi), Rotimi
Amaechi (Rivers), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta),
Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun)
appealed to the Muslim Ummah (community) to use the occasion to reflect
on the challenges facing the country and pray for solutions.
On their part, Senate President David
Mark, his deputy; Mr. Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal; his deputy, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha;
Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Chief Olajumoke
Akinjide; and Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Rasaq Atunwa,
urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Mohammed in all aspects of their lives.
Jonathan congratulated Nigerian pilgrims who successfully undertook the Hajj.
He called on Nigerians to live up to
the ideals of religious beliefs, including the fear of God, selfless
service, respect for laws, honesty, justice, equity, fairness,
dutifulness, peace and coexistence.
The President said, “In the true spirit
of our major religions which enjoins us to be generous to the needy, I
urge all Nigerians who can do so to donate munificently to the national
relief fund for affected persons and communities.”
Ajimobi, who spoke through his Special
Adviser on Media, Festus Adedayo, said it was only in an atmosphere of
peace that Nigeria could achieve the desired greatness.
He condemned the spate of violence in
some part of the country, saying “it is an ill-wind that would not blow
anybody any good”.
Uduaghan said, “I call on all Muslims to
use the period to reflect on various challenges facing the nation. It
takes the efforts of all to achieve meaningful development in any
nation.”
Amaechi, in a statement by his Chief
Press Secretary, David Iyofor, said, “Let the love and generosity
exhibited during the feast of sacrifice become part of our national
life as we strive to eschew violence and all forms of inhumanity.”
Aregbesola, in a statement by the
Director, Osun State Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu
Okanlawon, called on Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of religious
tolerance.
On their part, Oshiomhole, Fayemi,
Amosun and Ashafa appealed to Muslims to be obedient to Allah and
strive to develop the country.
They also urged Nigerians to shun violence in the interest of peace and national development.
In his message, Mark implored religious
leaders to teach their followers on the right thing to do so that they
would not deviate or depart from the truth.
He said, “We all have a stake in the
project Nigeria. We must shun divisive tendencies and come together
against all forces of darkness that seems to be dragging us back.”
Ekweremadu said selflessness, justice
and tolal submission to the will of Allah epitomised by Prophet
Mohammed would restore the nation on the path of speedy growth and
development
He added, “We must also resolve to show high sense of patriotism, submission to the rule of law.”
Tambuwal, Akinjide and Atunwa urged
Nigerians to be law-abiding at all times and restore the virtues of
good neighbourliness.
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