ABUJA/Nigeria: As Muslim faithful all over the world celebrate the feast of Eid-El-Kabir, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has has appealed to Nigerians to keep aside their prejudices and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity in order to keep the country united.
President Buhari also thanked Nigerians for praying for him for his recovery and the continuous extension of goodwill and support to him after his return to the country.
The President in the Sallah message he signed by himself felicitated with Nigerians particularly the Muslim faithful, on the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir and he also congratulated Muslim brothers and sisters who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj.
He said, “From the outset, I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians who prayed for my recovery and have continued to extend their goodwill and support after my return to the country.
“Indeed your fervent and sincere prayers, which cut across religion, political and ethnic divides, has energised me to re-dedicate myself and this administration to the task of building a great Nigeria.
“On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together. “For Muslims all over the world, this celebration is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim.
“As we celebrate, I sincerely believe that our nation can make rapid progress on all fronts if we re-enact the exemplary virtues, typified by Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim, through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.
“We must learn to see ourselves as brothers and sisters from the same heritage, who must come to terms with the African proverb that ‘‘a family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break.’’
President Buhari assured that his administration, which he said had made the security, economic well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians its priority, will not rest on its oars until the dreams of the founding fathers were realized.
Similarly, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has charged Nigerians to shun hate speeches and collaborate with the Government to surmount the plethora of problems bedeviling the nation.
The Governor who stated this in a goodwill message issued in Asaba on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, to mark this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, stressed the need for Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers.
“I call on all Muslims and indeed Nigerians to use the period to reflect on the various challenges facing the nation. It takes the concerted efforts of all to achieve meaningful development in any nation especially in a period of economic recession”, adding we must shun hate speeches because when these type of speeches are heard outside the shores of the country, it will discourage foreign direct investments and make local investors to be cautious which will further endanger our fragile economy.”
Furthermore, he said: “This season calls for forgiveness and love for one another. There is need for Nigerians to be united and be their brothers’ keeper in spite of all odds”.
“The faithful should use the opportunity of this Eid-el-Kabir to deepen their faith in Allah and renew the spirit of obeisance to the will of the Almighty in accordance with the inimitable faith of Prophet Ibrahim”.
“We should never forget that even in trials and temptations, our love for our neighbour must never diminish and our obedience to the will of Allah must be unwavering.
“As we celebrate, I urge you to spare a moment for our country and pray for her to surmount her present challenges. We should unite in our collective resolve to forge ahead despite our seemingly intractable problems and we should remember that all Nations of the world have their peculiar challenges.”
He urged the Muslim brothers and sisters to imbibe the spirit of peace, sacrifice, love, piety, tolerance and mutual co-existence to underscore the significance of the festival which he noted was obedience and willingness to sacrifice to Almighty Allah, as exemplified in the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Issah.
Governor Okowa commended Muslims in the State for their peaceful disposition and industry, which has contributed to the development of the State, assuring them of adequate security of lives and property at all times.
