Eid-el- Fitr: Tinubu tasks citizens on unity, nation building

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Tuesday appealed to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation. 

“We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire,” the president said while felicitating with the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr that signified the end of Ramadan fast. 

The president, who specifically called for a union of wills and action to build the nation, said that this “hallowed season” “reflects total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.” 

President Tinubu, who greeted Muslims in Nigberia and all around the world, prayed that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after would receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah. 

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The president, in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, prayed that the lessons, blessings, and the joys of this season “Abide with us always while wishing Nigerians, Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.”

Jibrin, Abbas call for prayers 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, prayed Allah SWT to accept supplications, prayers and the good deeds of the Ummah during the blessed month. 

Senator Barau urged all to sustain the lessons of the Holy Month and always reflect it in their daily activities. 

Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu called on Muslims to offer more prayers for Nigeria’s growth. 

In a Sallah message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the speaker urged Muslims to internalise the lessons learnt from the Holy Month of Ramadan and expressed confidence that the Almighty Allah has answered their prayers and supplication during the Holy Month. 

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu in a Sallah message signed by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu urged Nigerians, especially Muslims to continue to devote themselves to prayers for unity, peaceful coexistence and progress of the nation. He called on Nigerians to use the occasion to promote national integration, and continue keeping faith with the leadership of the country, assuring that the country would soon witness the type of greatness desired by citizens.

Govs call for sacrifice 

In their various Eid-el-Fitr messages yesterday, governors used the occasion to preach virtues of love, sacrifice, self-discipline, and kindness to citizens.

Katsina 

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State in his Sallah felicitations to Muslims said, “Let us not forget the invaluable lessons of self-discipline, compassion, and spirituality that the last one month taught us. 

“As we bid farewell to Ramadan, let us carry forward its teachings of empathy, generosity, and kindness into our daily lives. 

“Let us strive to be better individuals, fostering unity and harmony within our communities,” he said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed on Tuesday.

Adamawa 

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State also admonished Muslims to sustain the lessons of sacrifice, discipline and love learnt during the period of Ramadan beyond this period. 

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Tuesday said Nigerians must use the period for a sober reflection on the state of things in the country.

Ogun 

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, equally admonished Nigerians to have hope for a better Nigeria with prayers from both Christians and Muslims. 

Governor Abiodun, in a statement to mark the Eid-el-Fitr preached love, understanding, unity and peaceful co-existence among the people of the state. 

He called on Muslims to let the lessons of the Ramadan period, including patience, self-discipline, and kindness guide their daily lives.

Bayelsa 

Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, urged Muslim faithful in the state and country at large to reflect on the lessons of tolerance, love and sacrifice that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration typified.

Kwara 

Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday called on Muslims not to jettison the teachings learnt in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

AbdulRazaq in a message said the Muslim community should make the noble activities of the holy month like alms giving, abstinence from negativities, and good conducts, an integral feature of their daily lives. Governor AbdulRazaq urged the community to unite upon goodness and avoid anything that may eat away the rewards of their fast or question their sincerity as devotees.

Nasarawa 

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State also implored all Muslims to remain steadfast in applying the virtues of Ramadan fast by sustaining supplication, piousness and exemplary communing with each other in the state. 

The acting governor, Doctor Emmanuel Akabe, in a statement on Tuesday urged Muslims to be security conscious at prayer grounds while also displaying the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which include love, peace and justice to contribute to nation-building. 

He assured people from other regions of the country that Nasarawa State is a miniature Nigeria that accommodates everybody irrespective of tribe, region, religion or any other creed, calling on all and sundry to remain law abiding citizens and go on in pursuit of their lawful means of livelihood. 

 Edo 

Governor Godwin Obaseki also charged the Muslims to sustain the lessons of sacrifice and love learnt during the Ramadan fast. 

Obaseki, in his Eid-el- Fitr message to the people of Edo State, urged Muslim faithful not to relent but intensify prayers for the nation to overcome its current challenges.

Ekiti 

Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, in his goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said the holy month of Ramadan symbolises love, self-denial and sacrifice and as such, Muslims must sacrifice all their personal interests to seek truth and justice as the holy Quran teaches. 

He urged them not to relent in their contribution to the religious harmony, peace and progress being enjoyed in the state.

Lagos 

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu,  assured Lagos residents that the economic challenges they are currently facing will soon be over because of the several intervention programmes by Lagos State and the federal government. 

He rejoiced with Nigerians and residents of the state, particularly Muslim faithful, as they celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the end of 30 days of fasting, prayers, and other spiritual activities. 

He enjoined Muslims in Lagos State to continue on the path of spirituality, peaceful co-existence, and to remain tolerant of other religious denominations in the state, saying that Lagos was noted for religious harmony.

Atiku congratulates Muslims 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a statement by his office on Tuesday congratulated Muslims in the country for the successful completion of the mandatory fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. 

Atiku said the lessons of the Ramadan fasting should remain abiding, even when the holy month has passed. 

He also noted that while this year’s Ramadan fasting was observed in a season of tough economic conditions, the forbearance with which Nigerian Muslims adopted it is a principle that the noble Prophet Muhammed (SAW) enjoins us to live by at all times.

Obi seeks prayers against insecurity 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s general elections, Peter Obi, has charged Nigerian Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan 2024 to seek Allah’s intervention in Nigeria’s situation, especially insecurity. Obi charged the people not to allow the prevailing hardship in the country to affect their spirit of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence. 

“The people should use this year’s Eid-e-l Fitr festivities to engender the spirit of oneness and also re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism and unity for the desired national development,” Obi said in the message signed by his spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko.

CAN charges leaders to embrace moral rectitude 

While extending felicitations to Muslims yesterday, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement he personally signed, urged leaders at all levels of governance to embody moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.

“Leadership guided by integrity, accountability, and selflessness is essential in steering our country towards a path of sustainable development and unity. As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebration, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the values of honesty, transparency, and equity in all our endeavours.

“CAN reaffirms its commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for the greater good of our nation. Together, let us embrace the diversity that enriches our cultural tapestry and work hand in hand towards a future where peace and prosperity reign supreme,” Okoh said. 

He said the nation’s Christians joined in recognising the significance of this day and expressed their solidarity, as the Muslim community marked the end of Ramadan, a period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual renewal. 

Contributions from Baba Martins, Balarabe Alkassim, Saawua Terzungwe, Abbas Jimoh (Abuja), Tijjani Ibrahim (Katsina), Amina Abdullahi (Yola), Peter Moses (Abeokuta), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), Habibu I. Gimba (Damaturu), Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilọrin), Umar Muhammed (Lafia), Usman A. Bello, (Benin), Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado-Ekiti), Ahmed Ali, (Kafanchan) & Abdullateef Aliyu (Lagos)