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Governors, Sultan, Others Felicitate With Muslims, Sue for Peace(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) As Muslims all over the world celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr today, signaling the end of Ramadan, governors traditional rulers and organisations in the country have felicitated with Muslim faithful as they sue for peace and tolerance among all religious groups. Some of the governors religious and traditional rulers who sent their felicitations include Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and Jona Jang of Plateau State. Others are Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, political parties and organisations. Fashola, while felicitating with the Muslim faithful, sought the cooperation of all Nigerians in finding lasting solution to the challenges confronting the country, saying only Nigerians can take the country out of the doldrums. The Governor in a Sallah message, said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can put the country back on its leadership pedestal and urged them to embrace the spirit of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood preached by Islam and other religions. He observed that the country, with all its potentials, has no business with poverty if only its citizens can join hands to give it the right focus and called on them to cooperate and stamp out intolerance, discrimination, cheating, violence, and disobedience to the law and other ills from the system. Fashola wished all Lagos residents and their brothers and sisters across the country a happy and peaceful Eid-El- Fitr celebration. The Sultan of Sokoto in a Sallah message yesterday, reiterated his call on the perpetrators of bomb blasts in the North to sheath their swords and desist from such obnoxious acts. He also urged political leaders in the country to govern with the fear of God and ensure justice and fairness to Nigerians. Addressing the Muslim Ummah in his palace in Sokoto yesterday, the monarch noted that the people of the North were in great difficulty as a result of the insurgency and pleaded with the terrorists to fear God and refrain from perpetrating such ungodly acts. He maintained that Islam abhors the killing of innocent citizens and as such it was high time for the insurgents to stop the wanton killings in the North. The Sultan emphasised that leadership is a trust and that leaders would be accountable to God in the hereafter. Governor Ahmed of Kwara State, in his message, urged Muslims to ensure that the lessons of kindness, fear of God, spirit of helping the needy imbibed during Ramadan last beyond the holy month. In the Eid-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, the Governor said that, beyond festivity, Nigerians should also pray for the restoration of peace in the country. "We must as Muslims sustain our devotion to Allah, uphold the teachings of the Quran and Prophet Muhammed beyond the month of Ramadan. "It is also important that those fortunate enough to be in positions of authority, translate the culture of piety, devotion and total submission to the will of Allah into ensuring a society free of want, poverty and hunger," he said Ahmed also advised Muslims to shun all forms of vices, especially violence, that could hinder harmonious existence with people of other faiths. In his message yesterday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, Mimiko urged Muslims to imbibe and put into apt use, the lessons of the Ramadan fast, which centres on love and tolerance. He described the observance of piety, self-denial, discipline, and love during the Ramadan fast by Muslim faithful across the country as an indicator of the possibilities for Nigeria to remain a united and peaceful nation. He enjoined Nigerians to use the occasion to rediscover and show greater love to one another and by extension the country "we all claim to be ours.' In his message, Governor Yuguda of Bauchi State called on the people of the state to always live in peace with one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences, He reiterated the determination of his administration to continue protecting lives and properties of its citizens aimed at moving the state forward, but however called on motorists to always observe roads regulations to ensure an accident free Sallah celebration. He pointed out that Sallah celebration should be use to extend hands of friendship and observe forgiveness with one another. He then called on Muslims Ummah to use the period in assisting less privileged ones in the society, including non-Muslims aimed at extending hands of friendship to foster unity among Nigerians. While felicitating with Muslims across the country, Governor Dickson of Bayelsa State called for collaborative efforts in the fight against terrorism, describing the security situation in some parts of the country as unacceptable. Describing Islam as a religion of peace, Dickson called on the practitioners to follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (SAW), which centres on tolerance, peace and brotherliness. "Irrespective of our religions and tribes, what should be uppermost in our minds is the unity of Nigeria since we don't have any other country to call our own. The recent killings in some parts of the country should be jointly condemned. "The security of the country should not be left in the hands of security operatives alone. We, all have roles to play," Dickson said. Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, however noted that lslam is a religion of peace, and enjoined those behind the bombings in parts of the country to sheath their sword in the spirit of the season and in adherence to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed so as to find peaceful means to express their grievances. "As Muslims, we must not allow the significance of the season to be lost on us. We have fasted and prayed in the Holy month for Nigeria so that the nation can overcome its current challenges. I enjoin you all to continue to demonstrate this spirituality as you support and show love to one another," he said. In the same spirit, Governor Jang of Plateau State has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country, and also imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, peaceful coexistence, and respect for all faith, stressing that religion should be a vehicle for the promotion of harmony in the society. Jang, who preached this as his Eid-el-Fitr message, also admonished Muslim faithful to use the lessons of sacrifice, holiness and love, which guided the Ramadan fasting beyond the celebrations. According to Jang, in a press statement signed by his Director of Press, Mr. James Mannok, "these are virtues which the nation dearly needs at this time. It therefore behooves on all true adherence of Prophet Muhammed to uphold for a peaceful and stable Nigeria." While congratulating Muslims across the country for a successful month long Ramadan fasting which according to him has delightfully ushered in Eid-il-Fitr celebrations, Hon. Ihedioha "urged our Muslims brothers and sisters to ensure that the Sallah celebration is held in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and unity to underpin the blessings of Ramadan fasting. Meanwhile, the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has urged Muslims in Nigeria to strive towards strengthening the peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness for the betterment of the country. In a goodwill message marking the Ed-el Fitr, Imoke, in a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, said: "Nigerians must imbibe the lessons of the Ed-el Fitr, which include love and kindness, piety, sacrifice, peaceful coexistence and commitment to duty." The Governor urged Nigerians to reflect on the various challenges confronting the nation and pull together to overcome them. "The challenges confronting us as a people require the cooperation of everyone, if we are to make any meaningful progress. This is why we must not lose sight of the virtues of tolerance and respect for one another." The Deputy Speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Austin Uganwa, enjoined Nigerians, particularly Muslims to use the opportunity offered by the Eid-il-Fitr ceremony to pray for the end of the security challenge in the country and the peaceful and successful conduct of next year's general elections. Fayose, Bamidele, Adeyeye Sue for Peace Muslims in the country and Ekiti State in particular have been congratulated by the Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose over the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. According to a press statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose urged Muslims to put into use the lessons of the Ramadan so that "we can have a country where peace, love and unity endure." Fayose observed that the nation was passing through a difficult period, which requiresd divine intervention to put an end to the incessant bloodletting in the land. Also, the Chairman, Committee on Legislative Budget and Research in the House of Representatives, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has urged the Muslim faithful across the nation to pray against terrorism as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitri. In a statement by his Media Aide, Ahmed Salami, Bamidele commended Muslims for believing in peaceful co-existence with their Christian brothers despite the threat being posed by Boko Haram insurgents, particularly to our religious associations. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye has urged Muslim faithful in the country, to continue to uphold the lessons of the Holy Month of Ramadan by intensifying the reading of the Holy Book, Quran and imbibe its teachings even after the Ramadan. Rekindle Spirit of Oneness, Says PDP The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Adamu Mu,azu and the entire National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has charged Nigerians to use this year's Eid-El Fitri to rekindle the spirit of oneness and re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence upon which the nation is founded. The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, yesterday urged Nigerians to apply the divine lessons learnt during the fasting period and allow their thoughts and actions to be guided by them. "In truth, the Ramadan offered inestimable lessons in love, humility and forgiveness. We therefore urge Nigerians, irrespective of religious persuasions to ensure that these lessons are not lost but purposefully applied to usher in a new and beautiful era where bitterness, hatred and warring shall be things of the past", the statement said. Ajimobi Prays for Peace Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, yesterday expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the good people of Oyo State and prayed for continuous peace. Mrs. Ajimobi in an Eid-el-Fitr message to commemorate the end of the 30 days Ramadan fasting period, wished the people, especially all Muslim faithful across the state good health, wealth and long life. In her Eid greeting signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, she prayed that Almighty Allah will grant their hearts desires at the end of this Holy Month and give them bountiful blessings as well as unaccountable reports of goodwill Glo Felicitates with Muslims One of Nigeria's leading telecommunications operator, Globacom, has saluted Nigerian Muslims for the just concluded Ramadan fasting as commanded by the prophet Mohammad (SAW). The company's Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, encouraged all Muslim faithful to use the opportunity of this year's celebration to promote peace and friendship with all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion. "Globacom wishes all our Muslim brethren a very happy Eid El Fitri and pray that the Almighty Allah will grant their prayers for peace and progress," Jameel said. Saraki, Atunwa, Ahmad Felicitate with Muslims Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has enjoined Muslim faithful across the nation to allow the tenets of the just concluded Ramadan fasting to reflect on their ways of life in order to ameliorate the nation's current challenges of insecurity, disrespect for rule of law, corruption among others become things of the past. In statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Mr. Bamikole Omisore, the senator said that, "The Holy Month of Ramadan affords us the golden opportunity of renewal in thoughts and deeds towards our Creator and humanity by prioritising core themes of Islam, which include peace, boundless love for one another, sincerity, holiness and respect for humanity. "Importantly, the fore mentioned themes should not end with the month of Ramadan but they should be effortlessly demonstrated after Ramadan in order to ameliorate Nigeria's plight and make her into a better society where her current challenges of insecurity, disrespect for rule of law, corruption among others will become things of the past," he said. In a similar message, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa urged Muslims across the country to sustain the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan after the fasting period to further make Nigeria a worthy place to live in. Also, the Chairman House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ali Ahmad called on the Muslims to continue to pray for the oneness and unity of the country. Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |