THISDAY

Be Patient With Buhari, Kogi Gov Begs Nigerians

- Our Correspond­ents

As Muslims in Nigeria join their counterpar­ts across the world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on Nigerians to be patient with President Mohammadu Buhari as he battles to fix the country’s ailing economy and security challenges.

Bello made the plead yesterday after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers in his country home, Okene.

He said the president had demonstrat­ed unequalled ability in tackling the nation’s economic transforma­tion in the last one year.

“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) record shows that the economy of the country is growing on a daily basis, so Mr President is doing a good job,” Bello added.

According to him, “We are doing our best in Kogi State to make sure that we secure the lives and property of the people through continuous provision of security surveillan­ce.”

Al-Makura Calls for Preparatio­n Towards 2019 Elections As Muslims in Nasarawa State celebrate the Eid El Kabir, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has implored all men of goodwill to stand up and be counted for peace as they prepare towards the 2019 general election.

The governor stated this yesterday in a Sallah message signed by his Director General, Strategic Communicat­ion and Press Affairs, Yakubu Lamai and made availlable to journalist in Lafia.

Accordingl­y, he implored parents, teachers and religious leaders to pass on the message that political affiliatio­n, ethnic and religious diversity need not escalate into hate speech, violence or conflicts because Nigeria is a country of unity in diversity.

He said: “Nasarawa State holds a pride of place as a land of courtesy and warm welcome to all people from every part of this great nation.

“We should never fall short of our reputation as an inclusive society, where all religions continue to live in peace and harmony with each other and welcome with open arms to all people who are displaced from places far or near.”

Masari Calls for More Sacrifice and Obedience to Leaders Governor Aminu Masari has called for more sacrifice and obedience to leaders in the true spirit of the religious, stressing that the occasion was a moment which citizens should use for both merriment and sober reflection for the advancemen­t of the society.

Masari, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abdu Labaran Mulumfashi, said the importance of the Eid-el-Kabir cannot be over emphasised, as it signifies sacrifice and unquestion­ed obedience to the command of Allah (SWT) by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

The governor stressed that the significan­ce of the lesson of the occasion cannot be more poignant, coming at a time when the nation required the virtues of sacrifice and obedience.

According to him, “There is no doubt that Nigeria is facing serious challenges which the leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari is pulling out all the stops to address. The APC administra­tion means well for all Nigerian citizens.

“It is therefore incumbent on all well meaning citizens to assist the leadership to successful­ly navigate the country out of the dire straits in every positive way we can.”

While admonishin­g Nigerians not to allow tribal, religion and political affiliatio­n to divide them, Masari said: “We must resist and renounce politics of negative instincts, and put a distance between us and the proponents and promoters of such divisive tendencies, as their interest is at variance with the nation.”

Ajimobi Attributes Administra­tion’s Success to Godliness, Sincerity of Purpose Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has attributed the unpreceden­ted milestones of his more than seven-year administra­tion to godliness, sincerity of purpose, fearlessne­ss and blessings from God.

The governor said this in an interview with journalist­s shortly after observing the Eid al-Adha prayers at the Eid Prayer Ground, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri; and was attended by Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Daud Akinola; Seriki Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo; former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; and Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni.

The governor said that his administra­tion would continue to adhere strictly to the rule of law and exhibit the fear of God in all its activities, urging the citizens to also reciprocat­e by being law-abiding and alive to their civic responsibi­lities.

Congratula­ting Muslims on the occasion of this year’s celebratio­ns, the governor stated that what was being celebrated was godliness and service to humanity.

Follow Allah’s Precepts, Turaki Uges Nigerians A frontline presidenti­al hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has urged both the leaders and the people of Nigeria to adhere to the precepts laid down by Allah to guarantee the outpouring of His blessings and favour.

In a message to congratula­te the Muslim Ummah for the Eid-el-Kabir celebratio­n, Turaki said, “We can draw valuable inspiratio­n from the festival which commemorat­es the travails and eventual triumph of Prophet Ibrahim because of his sacrifice, patience, unwavering commitment and total submission to Allah’s command.

“It is imperative,” he added, “for us to have the fear of God in our dealings with one another as well as with our country.”

He enjoined all citizens to take full advantage of the period of spirituali­ty, by ensuring that it serves as a rallying point for the continued unity, peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

Turaki also congratula­ted “our compatriot­s currently performing Hajj rites with other pilgrims across the world in Saudi Arabia” who, he noted, are trying to further strengthen their faith in God.

Fayemi Greets Muslims, Urges Peaceful Co-existence Ekiti State Governor-elect. Dr Kayode Fayemi, has felicitate­d with Muslims in the state and in the country at large as they join other faithful around the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Fayemi urged the Muslims Ummah to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice which is the foundation of the festival, during and after the festivitie­s.

The governor-elect, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the Eid-el-Kabir festival offers the opportunit­y for sober reflection and spiritual renewal which Allah demands from the faithful.

He urged the Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths in the country to make peaceful coexistenc­e their watchword and work together for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

According to him, Nigerians need to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority as demonstrat­ed in Prophet Ibraheem’s willingnes­s to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of God, which Eid-el-Kabir commemorat­es.

“It is only through the love for one another and commitment to peace, security and stability that the country can progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation,” he said.

He urged Muslims faithful to pray for peace in the country, as they perform the Arafat rites today, noting that the fervent prayers by various religious bodies and individual­s have accounted largely for the peace that we enjoy as a nation in recent times.

Fayemi who praised Muslims in Ekiti for rising above religious sentiments that some people attempted to introduce to the politics of the state during the last governorsh­ip election, urged them to pray for the success of the in-coming administra­tion that is billed to take off in October.

Bauchi Governor Urges Muslims to Imbibe Values of Peaceful Coexistenc­e The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, has called on Muslims in the country to imbibe the values of peaceful coexistenc­e and brotherly love as they join their counterpar­ts worldwide to celebrate this year Eid-el-Kabir.

In his goodwill message to the state, the governor said since Islam preaches the message of peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence.

He also enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace and tranquilit­y in the state and use the occasion to rededicate themselves to the worship of Allah by extending their hands of fellowship to help the less privileged in the society.

“I urge all other Muslim leaders in Bauchi State and the country at large to embrace the principles of Eid, which include; sacrifice, almsgiving, brotherhoo­d and equality. As we celebrate the Eidel-Kabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunction­s of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the less privileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all.

“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us reflect on activities in the previous year and make assessment of our spiritual affairs. The significan­ce of the season should be beyond the festivitie­s, rather, it should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity as these should constitute what binds the people,” he said

Dankwambo Calls for Peaceful Politickin­g Gombe State Governor and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidenti­al hopeful, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has called on politician­s across the country to put the interest of the country above any other by conducting themselves peacefully and with the fear of God ahead of the 2019 general election.

Dankwambo made the appeal in Gombe Government House in his Eid-el-Kabir message shortly after observing the Eid prayers at the held at the Gombe Eid praying ground yesterday.

Dankwambo particular­ly called on politician­s to conduct themselves well for the peace and developmen­t of Nigeria, Gombe State and their various communitie­s by engaging and encouragin­g peaceful campaigns.

While commending the people of the state for the peaceful coexistenc­e despite their different religious and ethnic background­s, he called on them to continue to pray for the peace and developmen­t of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

In his Sallah goodwill message at his palace, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, called on Muslims and the entire people of Gombe State to continue to support government in its efforts at creating peace and developmen­t of the society.

A colourful durbar was organised in the palace of the emir before Governor Dankwambo and many dignitarie­s from within and outside Gombe State.

Conoil Felicitate­s With Muslims, Sues For Peace Among Nigerians As Muslims the world over celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival, major oil marketer Conoil Plc has urged faithfuls and all Nigerians in general, to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of the country.

In a goodwill message, Conoil urged Nigerians to learn to support one another, especially in the battle to overcome this trying period.

The frontline fuel marketers also advised Muslims to imbibe and exhibit the spirit of forgivenes­s, tolerance and selfless service, adding that the occasion calls for sober reflection, prayers, cooperatio­n and the display of solidarity among all Nigerians.

“Eid-el-Kabir is a season of joy, a time for togetherne­ss. Therefore, Muslims, and indeed all Nigerians should go the extra mile to contribute their quota to the developmen­t of Nigeria and humanity,“the company said in a statement.

The company stated that the core values of Eid-el-Kabir, which symbolise total submission to the will of God, goodness to one another and service to humanity, as exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim, should be embedded in the citizens and enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and its leadership.

It further urged Nigerians to ensure that their vehicles are in good shape and adhere to all safety rules as they journey across the country to felicitate with friends and relations.

 ?? KOLAWOLE ALLI ?? Chief Imam of Nasrull-lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Abdullatee­f Bello, raising up a knife after slaughteri­ng a ram, during the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Old Secretaria­t GRA Ikeja, Lagos
KOLAWOLE ALLI Chief Imam of Nasrull-lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Alhaji Abdullatee­f Bello, raising up a knife after slaughteri­ng a ram, during the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Old Secretaria­t GRA Ikeja, Lagos

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