Babangida, Atiku, Saraki, Others Task Muslims on Love, Tolerance
Our Correspondents
As Muslims across the country join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir, former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have advised Muslims across the country to take the centre stage in promoting and spreading love among fellow Nigerians in order to consolidate our unity.
Babangida charged Muslims to use the period of the Eid-el-Kabir festival to pray for peace and progress of Nigeria.
The former military leader in a statement sent to media houses in Minna, felicitated with Muslims across the country and challenged them to make necessary sacrifices for the growth and development of Nigeria.
Also, Atiku in his Sallah message to Muslims to mark the Eidel-Kabir celebration, said religion should be used as a means to advance the cause of love amongst the people.
He explained that diversity is not the cause of Nigeria's problems, but blamed the attitude of Nigerians towards one another instead.
According to him, "The common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us,” adding that diversity can be used to advantage.
On his part, Saraki in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in the country, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence in their relationship during Sallah celebration and beyond.
He further enjoined Nigerians to increase their efforts in charitable endeavours, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation.
Similarly, Dogara enjoined the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love and tolerance for the peace, unity and progress of the country.
He also charged religious leaders to always preach and promote ethno-religious tolerance as well as foster peace and unity among the people ahead of the 2019 general election for the good of the nation.
"While rejoicing with our Muslim brothers on this auspicious occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration, which symbolises sacrifice and obedience, I wish to enjoin all people of goodwill to be steadfast in love for one another and demonstrate renewed commitment to the Nigerian project in order to make our society ideal for all and towards the fulfillment of the country's great potential.
"I also urge our religious leaders to take advantage of the season and preach peace, unity and tolerance among the diverse people, especially now that the country is at critical political crossroads, with the electioneering process gaining momentum as the 2019 general election draw nearer.
In the same vein, Ekweremadu called on the Muslim Umah to work and pray towards the peaceful and successful conduct of the 2019 general election, noting that developments in recent elections in parts of the country were bad omens for 2019 general election.
He also called on Nigerians to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s life of total obedience, love, justice, and self-sacrifice, which he described as the hallmarks of Eid-el-Kabir.
CAN Celebrates with Muslims, Tasks Northern Govs on Policy Denying Christians Land for Worship The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged state governors in the North to desist from the policy of refusing Christians land for places of worship.
CAN observed that the teachings of sacrifice associated with the Eid-el-Kabir should be seen as a moral compass in which the policy is discarded forthwith.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah, recently raised concern over the policy, arguing that such discriminatory policy glaringly indicates that Nigeria is not united as a country.
CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle in a message to Nigerian Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir celebration, explained that the policy of denying Christians land for a place of worship has been shocking.
According to CAN, "We wonder why some state governments in the North would literally declare war or hatred on Christianity. For example, most of them has it as a policy not to give Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to churches with a view to denying them places of worship, when the 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows freedom of worship and association.
"This is not so in the Christian dominated states in the South. This policy must be discarded to promote peace and unity.”
On the forthcoming 2019 general election, CAN President said: "As we are in another election year, we challenge our politicians to stop vote buying, violence, blood-letting and other evils associated with campaign and election.”
The Christians body said is regrettable to note that many of the politicians are not aspiring to serve, but to amass wealth at the expense of the people, saying this is why election had become a do-or-die affair.
The group added that if a political party fulfils what was promised, violence force and intimidation will not be needed to retain the seat.
"CAN advises the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make sure all eligible voters are allowed to register, with no hidden agenda”, the group added.
"Ganduje Urges Muslims to Imbibe Values of Sacrifice, Love Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has urged Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and keep fostering unity as they join their counterparts globally to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Ganduje also cautioned religious and political leaders against hate campaigns, incitement or fanning the ember of disunity in this period of heightened political activity in the country. In his Sallah message signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, and made available to THISDAY in Kano, the governor said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.
Ugwuanyi Salutes Muslims, Calls for Prayers, Sustained Peace As Muslim faithful celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has urged them to continue to uphold and promote the core values of Islam for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.
In a Sallah message, Ugwuanyi, who felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, also wished them the guidance and blessings of Allah, calling on all Nigerians to continue to supplicate for the progress of the country, through good deeds, sacrifice and abiding faith in God.
The governor noted that “the ultimate goal remains our collective ability to live in peace and harmony, to cherish one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences, for sustainable development of the nation.” He therefore, wished all Nigerians a peaceful and pleasant celebration.
Marks Ask Nigerians Not to Heat up the Polity Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, yesterday said the current political upheavals ahead of 2019 general election are avoidable if all interested parties would play the game according to the rules.
Mark who took stock of the chequered socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation canvassed for a common approach by all stakeholders in order to come out of the woods.
He frowned at the current unwarranted acrimonies in the polity, pointing out that “no development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity and unwholesome vices.
“I still believe that Nigerians can live in peace and carry out their legitimate businesses in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation.”
He craved for a peaceful co-existence between and among various religions, saying, “we must shun religious and ethnic differences and co-exist harmoniously because there is more to gain staying together as a people.” Mark also urged the federal government to brace up to the challenges of insecurity in the land and restore confidence among Nigerians by proving that it is capable of protecting their lives and property.
Embrace Sacfrice, Love, Unity, Ambode Urges Muslims Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, called on Muslims in Nigeria to embrace the values of sacrifice, love and continue to foster unity as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.
In his Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, Governor Ambode, said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.
He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond feasting, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence should be to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.
Ambode therefore called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country,” the governor said.
Yobe Imposes 12 Hours Vehicular Restriction Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has placed a 12-hour restriction in vehicular movement to allow for hitch-free celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.
The governor in a statement by his spokesman, Abdullahi Bego, said the decision was made after a security meeting the governor had with heads of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the state. The statement read: “Governor Gaidam has approved the placement of a 12-hour restriction of vehicular movement across the state as part of preparations for a peaceful and hitch-free Eid-el Kabir prayers tomorrow Tuesday, August 21, 2018. “The restriction begins from 10p.m. tonight (Monday) to 10a.m tomorrow (Tuesday).” He warned that no vehicle would be allowed within or near Eid prayer grounds except those on special duties.
The governor, in a Sallah message to the state, asked all Muslim faithful to follow the “examples set by these great Prophets by obeying and submitting ourselves to the commands of Allah, the beneficent and the most merciful whole-heartedly.”
“This also reminds us of the practical demonstration of Islam’s vision of man’s total submission and obedience to the will of Allah Subhanahu wata’ala.”
APC, PDP, Seek Peace, Sacrifice The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), solicited for peace and sacrifice from among the various entities in the country.
While felicitating with Muslim faithful and all Nigerians on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, the APC said there was the need for peace and harmony among the diverse groups and different faiths in the country.
In a statement issued by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabene, APC said: "On this momentous occasion, we share below the inspiring message by Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the 83-year-old Islamic cleric who courageously saved the lives of over 300 multi-faith people in Nghar village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State when conflict broke out there in June.
"The holy prophet Mohammed lived in peace and harmony with diverse groups of different faiths. In following his teaching and steps, we must all appreciate the fact that the Almighty Allah created us with our diversities. We must embrace the diversity and strive to live in peace with one another," it said.
The PDP in its goodwill message issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir to support one another in the spirit of love, unity, sacrifice and dedication to the Almighty Allah as exemplified in the life of Ibrahim and the teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed. It asked government’s leaders to shed all selfish proclivities and rededicate themselves to the service of the people, especially in the prudent and transparent management of the resources.
The party appealed to the citizens to remember and assist the hurting, particularly, the sick, aged and victims of unfortunate violent attacks and natural disasters that have ravaged our nation in recent time.
It also charged spiritual and political leaders across the country to use the occasion to shed all selfish proclivities and rededicate themselves to the service of the people, especially in the prudent and transparent management of the resources with which the Almighty Allah blessed our nation for the good of the people.