- Oborevwori Tells Muslims, Nigerians
- Nation Needs Sacrificing Citizens To Progress –Tinubu
AS Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Sunday, urged Muslims and all Nigerians to embrace sacrifice, love and peaceful co-existence for the overall development of the country.
Governor Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, exhorted the adherents of Islam to follow the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed by absorbing the principles of selflessness demonstrated by the Holy Prophet.
He said Eid-el-Kabir celebration was a time of sacrifice, love, harmony and family time and urged Nigerians, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, to keep up their peaceful co-existence and to love and care for one another.
He urged Muslims and Nigerians in general to sustain prayers for the country’s advancement and peace.
While assuring of a peaceful celebration in the state, the Governor said security agencies were fully prepared to ensure that the Sallah celebration in the state was peaceful and devoid of any incidences.
Governor Oborevwori assured the Muslim community in the state that his administration would continue to partner them to move the state forward.
He said: “on behalf of the government and people of Delta, I salute our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the country on the occasion of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir.
“We must use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to reflect further and pray for our country to overcome the many problems confronting it.
“As we work to solidify the reigns of administration throughout the nation, let’s continue to live in harmony and cooperate with all tiers of government.
“I implore every one of you to ensure that, as we rejoice, let us all learn to be our brothers’ keeper by promoting peaceful coexistence amongst people of different tribes and religious beliefs.”
…Nigeria Needs Sacrificing Citizens To Progress –Tinubu
In related development, President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, said Nigeria needed sacrificing citizens to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.
Tinubu made the remark while addressing newsmen after observing the 2024 Eid-el Adha prayers at Dodan Barracks, Lagos.
The President emphasised the need for the people to follow the path of sacrifice to make the nation great.
“Being a very good citizen comes with responsibility, as citizens, what do you do to be a very committed member of our society? Go and sacrifice. Love your country, love your neighbours, share what you have with one another and be thankful to Almighty God. That’s all,” said the President.
Earlier, while addressing the worshippers, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, harped on perseverance and patience.
Hamzat enjoined the Muslim faithful to understand the reason for Eid, which he described as sacrifice and endurance. He appealed to Nigerians to sustain the peace in the country and do what is right for themselves and their neighbours.
“I urge you all to live in peace and harmony. Be patient and persevere in order to enjoy the good of the land.
Delivering the Eid-el-Adha message, Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Suleiman Abou-Nolla, who made reference to the Qur’an chapter 3 verse 102, said all believers should fear God as He should be feared.
He said all believers must not die except as a Muslim in total submission to Allah.
Abou-Nolla said all the prophets of God sent to mankind with their messages from Adam to Noah, to Ibrahim, Issah and Mohammed (S.A.W.) came with the message of sacrifice.
According to him, it is all about service to their God and humanity.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Adha, let us shun all acts of indiscipline, hate speech, and violence to ensure peaceful co-existence and progress of our nation Nigeria,” the Imam said.
He prayed to God to forgive Nigeria’s sins, asking God to send peace to every part of the country.
“We seek your blessings and economic prosperity of our land, open the doors of opportunities and success to all sectors of our economy,” he said.
(NAN)
… I’m Pleased Many Nigerians Have Embraced Farming –Buhari
. Laments Over Population
Meanwhile, former President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented about the uncontrolled population growth in the country, saying the situation has become a matter for concern.
The immediate past President however said in spite of the situation in the country, he is pleased that more Nigerians have taken to the farming to grow more food to bring down the prices of food in the country.
Speaking to journalists shortly after joining the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, to observe the Eid prayer at the township Eid ground, on Sunday, the former president said there was “need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, (uncontrolled population growth) as well as a need to invest more in education and health.”
Buhari who wished all Nigerians a Happy Sallah, also prayed that this special festival of Eid-el-Kabir will bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone.
Buhari also used the occasion to make an appeal to all citizens to make Nigeria Self-reliant. “Let us grow our own food. We have shown that we can do it. This is not the time to relent when we see prices going up. Let us buy what is produced in the country.
“The foundation of a prosperous and stable country has been laid by successive governments, and I encourage our youth, in particular, to continue to play an active role in various nation-building efforts.”
The former President also charged the youth of the country to seek the knowledge about “the founding fathers of the nation, the important personalities of their regions, and derive inspiration from them.”
Reflecting on the crowds at the Eid in Daura, the former President further expressed concern at unchecked population expansion, saying that “it will bring a lot of problems to future generations.
There is a need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, as well as a need to invest more in education and health.”
He also noted that, “considering the situation in the country, and in the spirit of the Sallah, let us help one another and be our brothers’s keepers. I wish everyone a happy Sallah.”
