- Address current hardship, Sultan tells leaders
- Buhari, Abdulsalami, CAN, others call for unity
By Muideen Olaniyi, Baba Martins, Abbas Jimoh (Abuja), Olatunji Omirin (Maiduguri), Abubakar Akote (Minna), Abubakar Auwal (Sokoto) & Salim U. Ibrahim (Kano)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday said Nigeria needs sacrificing citizens to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.
The president stated this while addressing journalists after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Dodan Barracks, Lagos.
President Tinubu stressed the need for the people to follow the path of sacrifice to make the nation great.
According to him, citizens also needed to show more care for their neighbours and extend charity to all in the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir.
"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, Obafemi Hamza harped on perseverance and patience.
Hamzat enjoined the Muslim faithful to understand the reason for Eid, which he described as sacrifice and endurance.
"I urge you all to live in peace and harmony. Be patient and persevere in order to enjoy the good of the land.
"Also, let us be good Muslims and good citizens of Nigeria. This is what Almighty Allah expects of us", he said.
Delivering the Eid-el-Kabir message, Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Suleiman Abou-Nolla, who made reference to Chapter 3 Verse 102 of the Qur'an, said all believers should fear God as He should be feared.
Abou-Nolla said all the prophets of God sent to mankind with their messages from Adam to Noah, to Ibrahim, Isah and Muhammad (S.A.W.) came with the message of sacrifice.
He recalled that former Nigerian leaders from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola, Madam Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and others, sacrificed their knowledge, wealth, sweat resulting in the growth and development of the country.
Shettima prays for bumper harvest
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to pray for peace and hope for a bumper harvest to address the challenges facing the country.
He made this appeal yesterday after observing Eid-El-Kabir prayer at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri.
In his Sallah message, Shettima emphasized the critical link between peace and development.
"We urge Nigerians to pray for peace in the land and prosperity. This is agricultural season, and we pray and hope that we get a bumper harvest that would address some of the challenges we are facing," he said.
Following the two Raka'at prayer, Imam Idaini of Borno, Mamman Shettima Saleh, delivered a sermon encouraging Muslim faithful to foster harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence among different groups in the country.
Acting Borno State governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, in an interview with newsmen after the Eid-El-Kabir prayer, also called for support and prayers from all Nigerians. "Let's pray for peace, social harmony, and development of our country," Kadafur said.
Barau observes Eid prayers in Kabo
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, yesterday, joined fellow Muslims in observing Eid prayers in his hometown of Kabo, Kano North Senatorial District.
Speaking to reporters after the prayer, he stressed the significance of connecting with his constituents--relatives, friends, and supporters.
He also used the opportunity to reiterate the federal government's commitment to addressing current national challenges.
During the sermon after the prayers, Malam Ja'afaru Mustapha, the Chief Imam of Kabo, advocated tolerance and unity while encouraging prayers and support for leaders.
Buhari warns against unchecked population expansion
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented 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 this particular challenge, he is pleased that more Nigerians have taken to the farm to grow more food so as to bring down the prices of the commodities in the country.
Speaking to journalists shortly after joining the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk to observe the Eid prayer, he 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.
"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 youths, in particular, to continue to play an active role in various nation-building efforts," he said.
Peace, crucial for Nigeria's development - Abdulsalami
Also, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has underscored the critical role of peace in Nigeria's development trajectory.
Speaking to journalists after performing the two Raka'at Eid-el-Kabir prayer in Minna, Niger State, General Abubakar urged Nigerians to prioritise prayers for peace across the country.
He was at the eid ground together with Senator Mohammed Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District, Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, among others.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by SSG Usman, encouraged Muslims to maintain steadfastness in their faith and celebrate the festive season with love and harmony among all.
Sultan urges leaders to address hardship
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar 111, has called on governments at all levels to do more to address the current hardship in the country.
In his Sallah sermon shortly after observing the two units Eid prayer at the Fakon Idi, the monarch said Nigeria was grappling with a lot of challenges, while its citizens were facing untold hardship.
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According to him, a lot needed to be done to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
He also called for concerted eefforts to address the current security challenges in the country, saying no meaningful development could be achieved without security.
"Leaders must be God-fearing and must work to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the governed," he said.
He counselled Nigerians to be peace-loving and patriotic.
He further called on them to continue supporting and praying for the success of the leaders.
CAN calls for unity amidst challenging times
Commenting on the Eid-Kabir celebrations, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged Nigerians to embrace peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and be united especially in this period when the country was passing through some challenges.
President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call yesterday in a message to felicitate with Muslims on the Eid.
"In the face of current challenges, let us unite in love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Let us pray for divine intervention in our security, economic, and political struggles. May God's comfort and strength support the displaced, the bereaved, and the traumatised.
"As the Muslim Ummah celebrate this festival, let us remember that our nation deeply needs God's mercy, peace, and unity. Let us work together to build a Nigeria where all citizens can thrive, regardless of religion, tribe, or creed. Our diversity is strength, and together, we can overcome any obstacle," Okoh said.
