President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast, promised Nigerians better days ahead.
Buhari, in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Nigerians, also congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and those around the world on the successful completion of the spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the divine command.
He expressed the hope that all true followers of Islam had been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life.
The president also expressed optimism that through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, Muslim faithful had learnt to imbibe the virtues of piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in their daily relationship with one another.
“As we celebrate another Eid- el-fitr, I admonish all patriotic Nigerians to uphold these lessons and also appreciate the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed us with.
“Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings as we forge ahead to build on our strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.
“I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future,’’ he said.
Buhari recalled how the vice-president, the speaker of the House of Representatives and other government officials joined him to host Iftar reception at the State House with Nigerians of different backgrounds including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), artisans and Physically-challenged persons.
“Like I said during the reception, I want to once again appeal to those of us who have the means, to remember the millions of Nigerians who are suffering deprivation because of violence perpetrated by terrorists.
“I am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges.
“ I want to also reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities.’’
He reaffirmed the determination of his administration not to relent in the fight against corruption, saying that “we will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored to root out this malaise’’.
He commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North-East part of the country.
Buhari appealed for the support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and the nation’s international partners in exploring the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region.
“I promise you all better days ahead even as we remain grateful for your unflinching support to our administration.
“Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and May the Almighty Allah continue to bless our nation,’’ he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged Nigerians to use the Eid-el-fitri celebration to pray for the country to overcome its present challenges.
This is contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, on Tuesday.
Dogara congratulated Muslims across the country on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, and urged them to allow lessons learned during the period to guide their activities.
He noted that the holy month of Ramadan afforded Muslims the opportunity to show compassion, mercy and kindness to their fellow men.
The speaker advised Muslims to continue to put smiles on the faces of others beyond the Ramadan period.
He urged the Muslim faithful to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and continue to imbibe its teachings of selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality.
Dogara urged Nigerians to pray for the success of the country’s leadership, especially for President Muhammadu Buhari, to steer the affairs of the country and actualise the change agenda.
He, however, affirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to uphold the tenets of democracy and champion the cause of the electorate at all times.
“The house will continue to initiate laws and legislative interventions to support the change agenda and improve the living conditions of Nigerians,’’ Dogara added.
In Ibadan, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State advised to Muslims to be on their guard against terrorists, who may want to wreak havoc during the celebration.
Ajimobi also appealed to them to be modest in their celebrations, and expressed the hope that the mandatory annual religious obligation would renew their strength and faith in Allah.
“I want to enjoin you to maintain your piety beyond the fasting period and rededicate yourselves to the worship of Allah and obedience to His injunctions, especially at this period when our country needs the prayers of the saints.
“You should not be tempted to go back to the various vices that you all jettisoned during the holy month.
“I pray that Allah should grant your requests and prayers, likewise that offered for your families, the state and country at large,’’ Ajimobi said.
He expressed belief that the dedication and commitment of the Muslim faithful to the Ramadan as one of the pillars of Islam, the country would soon witness a socio-economic rebirth and peace.
Ajimobi called on the people of the state to continue to support his administration in its efforts aimed at taking the state out of economic doldrums.
He also assured them that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.
Also, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala urged them not to forget the nation in their prayers.
According to him, the present economic hardship in the country requires absolute commitment of our people and prayers.
“The country will grow with our collective efforts, so let us strive to take the country to greater heights,’’ he said.
In Osogbo, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, called on Muslims to use the occasion of Ramadan celebration to pray for peace and economic stability of the nation.
Aregbesola said that this was not a good time for the country, “the economy is in doldrums and there is palpable air of insecurity all over the country.
“This is the time that we must either come together to jointly take our country to the height it deserves among comity of nations.
“We must stop paying leap service to fundamental necessities which are catalyst for development or else this nation would remain a dwarf to other nations, which ought to take directives from us.’’
He urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of humility, good neighbourliness, understanding and love as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
According to him, Muslims must exhibit commitment, discipline, obedience and love of Allah, and apply same in their daily relationship to their fellow human irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations.
Governors Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and the Olubadan of Ibadan , Oba Saliu Adetunji, urged Muslims to use the Ramadan rebirth to promote love, peace and justice.
They made the call in their various messages to Muslim faithful on Tuesday.
In Yenagoa, Dickson advised Muslim faithful across the country to uphold the tenets of Islam as well as the teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammad.
According to him, for a nation to develop and make meaningful progress, both Muslims and Christians must appreciate each other as well as live together as brothers and sisters.
Nigeria, he said, is a blessed nation, and called on the people to pray fervently for the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He also urged religious leaders to always prevail on their followers to propagate the message of peaceful, united and egalitarian society.
“I am enjoining all Muslim faithful across the country to see Ramadan as a period of stock taking and a time to make peace with Allah and their fellow human beings.
In Enugu, Ugwuanyi urged Muslims to take advantage of the spiritual rebirth that Ramadan represents to reflect on the importance of unity in the country.
Ugwuanyi said in Enugu on Tuesday that Nigerians should use the celebration to cohabit peacefully irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliations.
“The significance of the Muslim festival is enormous and compelling for all Nigerians to embrace one another and affirm the trust of our founding fathers towards a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.
“It is only when Nigerians live in peace and harmony and appreciate one another that we can strengthen the bond that brought us together as a nation and make rapid progress, irrespective of our socio-cultural, ethnic and political differences,’’ Ugwuanyi said.
Ugwuanyi called on all Muslims and Nigerians to continue to offer special prayers for the unity and progress of the country, especially in this moment of economic recession.
The governor felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
In Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, implored Muslims to consolidate on the gains of Ramadan by distancing themselves from evil activities as they celebrate.
Adetunji, who congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the fasting, said that there were lots of lessons to learn from fasting and prayer.
According to him, God is willing and ever ready to answer prayers and solve problems if only the people seek God and submit to His perfect will.
“Despite the socio-economic challenges confronting our people, such as liquidity crisis, corruption in high and low places, kidnapping etc., nothing is too difficult for God.
“To live is not a right but a privilege, I have great hope that all those who went through the Ramadan period without anything will soon enjoy abundance,’’ Adetunji said.
The monarch appealed to people to allow unity in action herald the dawn of freedom.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also felicitated with Muslim faithful in Ekiti State and all over the country on the completion of the Ramadan fast culminating in the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
Fayemi, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said witnessing another Eid-el-Fitri is a special privilege from the Almighty Allah who has control over the destiny of man.
The Minister said the 30-day Ramadan fast has drawn the faithful closer to Allah. He therefore urged them to keep on practising the lessons learnt from the holy month in their relationship with their Maker and fellow human beings.
Specifically, he charged Muslims to allow the lessons of humility, sacrifice, love and selfless service learnt during the Ramadan season to continue to guide their private and public conducts.
Fayemi also urged the citizens to celebrate with moderation and focus more on seeking the face of Allah for a more prosperous Nigeria and a more peaceful world.
