Obaseki, Bago, Yahaya, Abbas, Others Greet, Charge Muslim Faithful at Ramadan
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his Niger State Counterpart, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, have greeted and charged Muslims on the commencement of this year's Ramadan.
They all called on Muslim faithful to foster good neighbourliness and kindness during the Ramadan season.
In a statement to mark the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Obaseki said the fasting period should serve as a time for soulful reflection, devotion, prayers and to care for one another.
“As the Muslim faithful embark on Ramadan, I implore you to uphold the virtues of Islam by showing love and compassion to all. It is a time to show good neighbourliness and extend a helping hand to the needy in society, especially in these trying times.
“The Ramadan season is coming at a time when many people are faced with dire economic challenges. It is best to show love this period as we approach the period solemnly.”
Bago, on his part, admonished the
Muslim faithful to use the period to get closer to God and embark on programmes that would alleviate the sufferings of the common man.
Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, stressed the need for Muslims to get closer to God by engaging in activities that would earn them eternal reward adding that the season "is a special period for spiritual rejuvenation.
"Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam which comes with favour, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah to those who participate in it."
Governor Yahaya also urged the Muslim Ummah and the entire citizenry to utilise this sacred month for fervent prayers, seeking relief amid present economic hardships, and praying for peace, development, and prosperity of Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
In a goodwill message, the governor called for collective efforts in finding new solutions to the security and socio-economic challenges facing the nation, acknowledging the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors to address the current difficulties.
Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum Chairman used the occasion to express deep concern over the alarming increase in abductions of vulnerable citizens in some parts of the country, particularly making reference to the recent incidents involving students in Kaduna, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno, and Almajiri pupils in Zamfara states.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has also tasked traders not to increase the prices of their goods during the fasting period.
Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, appealed to traders in the country not to hike prices of foodstuffs and other commodities, as the Ramadan fast begins.
The Speaker congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world for witnessing another Ramadan, urging them to pray for their country.