Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with the Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general on the occasion of 2020 Eid-el-Kabir.
Lawan, in a message to the Muslim faithful on Thursday in Abuja, urged them to be mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrate responsibly in line with the general dictates of the faith.
According to him, the celebration, which is Islam’s feast of sacrifice, is very significant to the faith of Muslims, as it reminds them of the imperative of unconditional obedience to Allah, the Most Merciful.
“Through total submission to His will, we can confidently confront our challenges as individuals and as a nation, assured that Allah will intervene decisively at the most appropriate moment.
“As people of faith, therefore, let us continue to seek the face of the Almighty in our various national wars.
“War against insecurity or the COVID-19 pandemic, or as we strive to make Nigeria a comfortable home for all citizens.
“As we celebrate the feast of sacrifice with worship, I enjoin us to be mindful of the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic and adhere strictly to the safety protocols prescribed by our public health authorities,” Lawan said.
He said that the National Assembly was collaborating with the executive in responding to the pandemic as it affected the economy and the general public system.
He said that those in leadership positions must continue to be aware of their covenant of service with the Nigerian people.
“On our part as your elected representatives and lawmakers, we pledge to always respect your trust and serve your best interests.
“In this regard, the National Assembly in the past one year, has passed many bills and resolutions and conducted many public hearings to strengthen the operations of government and enhance public service delivery.
“We shall continue on the same path and are confident of making the desired impacts, with your understanding and invaluable support.
“While wishing you all a happy festival, I again urge us to celebrate responsibly, in line with the general dictates of our faith and in the spirit of the august occasion.”
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has felicitated with Muslims across the country on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival and called on them to pray for the unity, development and security of Nigeria.
In a statement by his Media Office in Abuja on Thursday, Saraki advised Muslims to know that the nation is facing many challenges which pose serious threat to her unity and progress while noting that citizens need to rededicate themselves physically, spiritually and intellectually to the cause of saving and serving the country.
He added that a period like that of Eid-el-Kabir, a season of sacrifice and demonstration of faith, provides an opportunity for such renewal of patriotism. The Eid-el-Kabir festival, he stated, symbolizes the voluntary obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) to the commands of Allah and the demonstration of his faith in his maker.
He urged Muslims to also remember that Allah commands them to obey the laws of their land, comply with lawful directives from the government of the day, live in peace with their neighbours and commit their affairs into the hands of the ultimate controller.
“There is no time that we need to demonstrate all the lessons of Eid-el-Adha than now. Apart from the economic and security problems, the unique challenges imposed on our environment by the Covid-19 pandemic demand that we all work together to reduce the spread of the virus, maintain peace in our society and help to channel the lean resources of state to funding of priority issues.
“It is, therefore, important for all of us to avoid huge gatherings and other conduct which may lead to the spread of Covid-19. We should also stick to the use of face masks, wash our hands from time to time, apply hand sanitizers and maintain physical distance. This is important to avert a situation where after Sallah, there would be increased cases of people infected with the virus”, he stated.
He urged Muslims to use the sallah period to intensify prayers for the country. “We should seek for Almighty Allah (SWT) to heal her, restore full security, prosperity, peace and strengthen her unity. We should pray for victory for our soldiers fighting against insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country and protection for our health officials on the frontlines striving to prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the country”, Saraki stated.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rejoiced with Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival, urging them to celebrate moderately in the wake of the rise in cases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor also advised Nigerians, especially Muslims to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the unity and progress of the nation.
Sanwo-Olu, in his Eid-el-Kabir message released on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, congratulated Muslims in Lagos and advised them to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.
He said Eid al-Adha became a symbolic event in the history of mankind, given the bountiful rewards that followed the patience and perseverance of Prophet Ibrahim, who held on tenaciously to his faith in God despite being afflicted.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, urged Lagosians to draw lessons from the prophet’s examples by eschewing tendencies that could severe the unity and stability in the country.
“Today, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in Lagos State and in Nigeria happy Eid-el-Kabir, which comes with significant lessons for mankind. For the Muslims, today’s celebration is very unique.
“This symbolic Islamic festival is a reminder to us that, there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in trying periods; persistence in prayers and tenacity in our belief.
“It also reminds us of the sacrifice we are expected to make not only for the purpose of spiritual fulfillment, but also for the progress of mankind and development of our society.
The governor also reminded Nigerians, especially Lagosians of the need to reflect on the new reality caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, saying it has altered the way we live, work and celebrate.
He said: “Traditionally, Eid-el-Kabir is marked with fanfare, where thousands of worshippers head to various designated praying grounds in their localities for special Eid prayer, followed by festive gatherings, visits to families and friends, gift exchanges, feasts among friends, neighbours and relations.
“However, these activities, which are a reflection of joy and happiness of the season, cannot hold this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us reflect on the last four to five months of our lives as individuals, as a state and as a nation. We should also remember our health care workers, and thousands of COVID-19 patients who would have loved to be at home to celebrate with us at this moment.”
Sanwo-Olu also advised Nigerians to support the government’s efforts in building a nation that would work for all, adding that the need to keep Nigeria on the path of development is a collective responsibility of all citizens.
“On behalf of my family and the Government of Lagos State, I wish all Muslims a happy and peaceful Eid al-Adha celebration,” he said.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State also felicitated with the Muslim faithful in the state and across the world, on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Makinde, in a Sallah message on Thursday in Ibadan by Mr Taiwo Adisa, his Chief Press Secretary, admonished Muslims to adhere to the teachings of love, sacrifice and perseverance, which the festival epitomised.
He said the “Festival of Sacrifice” known as Eid-el-Kabir, presented an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on the faith with which Prophet Ibrahim willingly agreed to sacrifice his son, in obedience to the command of the Almighty Allah.
The governor said that the all-important Eid Adha was worth celebrating despite the restrictions brought upon the world by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He encouraged every Muslim to use the opportunity to pray for the peace in the world and to show love and selflessness, in line with the examples shown by Prophet Ibrahim.
Makinde further urged all Muslims in the state, especially the clerics and leaders, to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
He said: “I congratulate the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State and across the world on the opportunity given to us by Allah SWT to witness the 2020 Eid-el-Kabir.
“Despite the restrictions brought upon the world by the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that the Eid Adha presents Muslims the opportunity to pray, make sacrifices and demonstrate the key teachings of the Holy Prophet such as love, sacrifice and selflessness.
“This was why I gave the directive that Eid prayer grounds should be opened to worshippers.
“I celebrate with my Muslim brothers and sisters on this occasion and encourage them to continue to pray for the state and its leadership and continue to live in harmony and love.
“As an administration, we also make the commitment not to take the support and love for granted as we march on in the task of repositioning our state from poverty to prosperity.
“Eid Mubarak to you all and may Allah accept our sacrifices and prayers.”
