Sallah: Tinubu, N/Assembly, govs, others preach unity

• Initiate measures to ease hardship, Atiku tells gov’t

• IG orders AIGs, CPs to beef up security

By Baba Martins, Saawua Terzungwe, Balarabe Alkassim, Hussein Yahaya, Abbas Jimoh, Zakariyya Adaramola (Abuja), Tijjani Ibrahim (Katsina), Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe), Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano) Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin), Peter Moses, (Lagos) Umar Muhammed (Lafia) & Magaji Isa Hunkuyi (Jalingo)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Eid-el-Kabir as an event that denotes sacrifice, faith and obedience to the will of the Almighty and promised Nigerians that their sacrifice will not be in vain.

This is as other political leaders and personalities have in their messages felicitated Muslims, urging them to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, prayer for the nation, tolerance, unity, patriotism and compassion as they celebrate the occasion.

The president, who called on Nigerians to reflect on the teachings of sacrifice and unity, reassured them that his administration is prioritising their social and economic well-being.

President Tinubu, in his message signed by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, congratulated the Muslim faithful and prayed that Allah accepts their supplications and acts of obedience.

“The president emphasises that sacrifice and duty are essential ingredients to nation-building, noting that it takes collective purpose, will and action to bring about great change.”

The president called on citizens to spare a prayer for the nation for continuous peace and stability while working according to purpose in promoting unity, peace and progress.

He also “acknowledges the sacrifices that Nigerians have made in the past year as his administration sets the nation on a firm pedestal of growth and development.”

President Tinubu enjoined Nigerians to reflect on the essence of the occasion, which bears strong meaning and significance for the nation.

We’ll sustain legislation to address nation’s challenges – Barau  

In his message, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I Jibrin, while rejoicing with Muslims in the country on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir, urged them to demonstrate the true spirit of the season by reaching out to the needy.

He also reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to continue enacting the necessary legislation to address the country’s challenges in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

Senator Barau, in a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, called on Muslims to seek Allah’s grace for the country’s peace, unity, security and economic prosperity.

Speaker Abbas tasks Nigerians on prayers, cooperation

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, called on Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders and be supportive and cooperative for a better nation.

He made the call in his congratulatory message issued by his spokesman, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

He urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use the period for sober reflection and be their brother’s keepers at all times.

In the same vein, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu has congratulated Nigerian Muslims as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir along with other Muslims all over the world.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu on Saturday, he called on the Muslim faithful and indeed, all Nigerians to pursue unity and national cohesion, adopting the age-old maxim of “united we stand, divided we fall”.

Initiate measures  to ease hardship, Atiku tells FG, states

A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has congratulated fellow Muslim faithful on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, with a call on government at all levels to initiate measures  to ease the prevailing hardship in the country.

Atiku, who sent his goodwill message to Muslims in a statement through his media office in Abuja, described the Eid-el-Kabir as a celebration of God’s love and mercy to mankind.

He noted that the celebration of Eid, as stated in the Holy book, is not merely a fanfare but an admonition to the people to have forbearance and show compassion in every situation.

“As we know, the essence of the celebration today is about a restoration of God’s mercy; it is thus incumbent on government at all levels to take a cue from the divine instruction and make sure that the hardships of the people are minimised,” Atiku said.

In the same vein, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented the hardship in the country, but urges unity and faith in God in the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir.

Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, in a statement, also felicitated Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir and urged Nigerians to use the occasion to strengthen their dependence on God’s unfailing mercies and reinforce unity, love, brotherly care and sense of patriotism.

“The PDP, however, urges Nigerians not to despair over the failures of the APC but continue to be their brother’s keeper and use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to further reach out, share and care for one another in love and hope.”

Obi tasks Muslims on Prophet Ibrahim’s teachings on sacrifice

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerian Muslims to draw strength from the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim amid the hardship and suffering ravaging the country.

Obi made the call on Saturday night in a message of felicitation to Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Sallah.

Wike sues for peace, unity, prayers for Nigeria

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in a Sallah message he signed, described Eid-el-Kabir as the festival of sacrifice to commemorate the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to Allah (SWT). He said it is a time for all to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice, selflessness and devotion.

He called for peace, unity and prayers for the nation.

Govs urge sacrifice, prayers amid socio-economic challenges

Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, in a goodwill message issued by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, emphasised the importance of unity, sacrifice and vigilance amid the current socio-economic and security challenges.

On his part, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate the spirit of sacrifice, obedience and righteousness exemplified by the prophetic example of Ibrahim and Ismail.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, by the Chief Press Secretary,  Humwashi Wonosikou.

Similarly, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, emphasised the importance of submitting to the Almighty God and prioritising spiritual well-being over worldly desires.

He emphasised the significance of selflessness, compassion and the willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of faith and the betterment of humanity.

Katsina governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, in his message signed by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary, urged Muslims to draw inspiration from the timeless values of Eid-al-Kabir, particularly the lessons of obedience, sacrifice and faith exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and his son, Ismail (PBUH).

He encouraged them to translate the lessons into lives filled with devotion, compassion and selflessness.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State who is chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, in his message, congratulated Muslims on the occasion, urging them to pray for President Tinubu, governors and other leaders.

The governor urged the Muslim community to reflect on the lessons of Hajj and the festivities around it such as virtues of patience, sacrifice, piety, faith in God, justice and fairness, among others.

On his part, the Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, congratulated the Muslim Ummah for witnessing this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, urging them to imbibe the lessons  of love and sacrifice which the season symbolizes as they celebrate.

Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, in his Sallah message signed by his Chief press secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Addra, assured citizens of the state that he would not rest on his oars until a peaceful and secured Nasarawa State is achieved.

Glo felicitates Nigerian Muslims    

Telecommunications service provider, Globacom, has also rejoiced with Muslims all over Nigeria on the celebration of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir.

In a message of goodwill released in Lagos on Saturday, the company asked the Muslim community to take advantage of the occasion and offer prayers for the nation’s prosperity, unity and well-being.

The company said, “We felicitate with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria as they celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir festival. We call on them to use the occasion to continue to live up to the tenets of their faith through acts of charity, peaceful co-existence with their neighbours and obedience to the injunctions of the Holy Quran.”

It also urged Muslims to emulate the commitment, dedication, and obedience exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim AS, who demonstrated these qualities by offering his son as a sacrifice to Allah, a move that is commemorated on Eid-El-Kabir.

Emir Bayero greets Tinubu, Yusuf

The 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has felicitated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir.

The emir also announced that the durbar ceremonies earlier scheduled were halted following recommendations of the security agencies and for peace to continue to reign in the state.

He made the remarks while delivering a broadcast at the Nasarawa mini palace on Saturday.

On his part, the Lamido Gashaka, Alhaji Zubairu Hammangabdo,  called on his subjects to pray for the nation in order to overcome the numerous problems confronting the country.

In his  message, the royal father said the country needed prayers more than any other time because of  the problems which include security challenges and food insecurity.

Also, the Inter Party Advisory Council, (IPAC) has also felicitated with Muslims across the country on this year’s Eid-el Kabir celebrations and urged them to use the occasion to pray and renew their faith in Allah and in the nation.

Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, National Chairman, IPAC, made the felicitation on Saturday in a statement he signed.

IG orders AIGs, CPs to beef up security

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed Commissioners of Police in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, along with their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategically set up the security framework in their areas of responsibility ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The IG also mandated Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to deploy human and operational assets to conduct confidence-building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, in residential and industrial areas.

The force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Adejobi added that police personnel would be deployed at vulnerable points, places of worship, public recreational places, and around all critical national infrastructures.

He noted that personnel deployed are to perform their duties with discipline, professionalism, decorum and alertness.

He added that the IGP urged the citizens to keep to security and traffic advisories during the festive period.

“The IGP assures of the commitment of the force to ensuring that everyone celebrates in a safe and secure environment,” he stated.