Eid-El-Kabir: Buhari, Saraki, Mark assure of safety, preach peace

…Fayose, Obi, other govs too
From Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye, Abuja, Oluwole Farotimi, Lagos, Wole Balogun, Ado Ekiti, Bamgbola Gbolagunite, Akure, Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto, Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin and Chinelo Obogo, Lagos
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has directed the armed forces and national security agencies to pro­vide maximum security across the nation during Eid-El-Kabir prayers and celebrations, especially in areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
In his Sallah message to Muslim faithful signed by his Senior Special As­sistant on Media and Pub­licity, Garba Shehu, the President also congratu­lated Muslims currently in Saudi Arabia Hajj.
He urged them to rededi­cate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisa­tion of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sac­rifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of all mankind.
He also used the occa­sion to call for more pa­tience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming its cur­rent security, economic and developmental challenges.
On his part, Senate Presi­dent, Dr. Bukola Saraki said only tolerance and mu­tual respect are the panacea to move the nation forward.
In his Sallah message, he said: “We have a herculean task to address. Our army of unemployed graduates and youths are hovering in the streets. I am very opti­mistic that with our collec­tive efforts, these challeng­es are surmountable and we will overcome.”
Former Senate President, David Mark also called for religious tolerance and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians irrespec­tive of ethnic, political or religious affiliations .
Mark said only a people united under an atmosphere of peace can bring the needed progress and devel­opment.
He prayed for an end to terrorism and asked all those promoting violence and insurgency through the activities of Boko Haram to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara urged Nigerians of various faiths to tolerate one another as we all have no other country than Ni­geria.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Ayo Fayose, in his Sallah message, said Nigerians should imbibe the spirit of sacrificial giving as the na­tion faces tough economic challenges.
He advised religious leaders in the country not to play politics with religion.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, in his message, urged Mus­lims to use the festive period to reflect on their contributions as individuals to the project, Nigeria. He said Muslims in the country needed to do more towards making the project work.
Former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi said the festive season was an apt reminder that human society must be imbued with those values that re­flect the brilliance of God.
He said Nigerians, should at all times, remem­ber that hard work and dis­cipline were essential to safeguarding the future.
Also, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said Muslims should use the occasion of the festive period to re-engineer their spirit of sacrifice in all their engagements so as to con­tribute maximally to the current efforts to enhance Nigeria’s national growth.
Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed urged Muslims to use the festive season to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, good neigh­bourliness and selfless ser­vice premised on the vir­tues of Islam.
In his Sallah message, he charged Muslims to appreciate the essence of Eid-el-Kabir as a symbolic representation of total sub­mission to the will of Allah, goodness to one another and service to humanity as exhibited by Prophet Ibra­him.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Am­bode said Muslims should imbibe the values of peace­ful co-existence and broth­erly love as they celebrate the season.
He urged them to pray for continued peace and tranquility in the state and the nation, especially in the North East. He said they should shun religious ex­tremism, noting that those who hide under the veil of religion to perpetrate ter­rorism were being ignorant to the teachings of Islam as nobody can fight for God.
Governor Adams Osh­iomhole of Edo State said Muslims should continue to join hands to move the country to a greater height.
“We should remember the lessons of Eid -el-Kabir, which are sacrifice, peace and love for neighbours which are the hallmarks of a true Muslim.
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said Muslims should continue with their support for the government as it seeks to implement policies and programmes that will up­lift the standard of living of the populace. He main­tained that meaningful de­velopment could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.
Meanwhile, to mark the hajj, pilgrims from Ogun State arrived the Mount Arafat alongside Governor Ibikunle Amosun where prayers were offered for the progress of Nigeria in particular courtesy, spiri­tual leaders.
In Islam assemblage at Mount Arafat was a direc­tive for Muslim pilgrims to observe a day there with prayers, as it marks the point where Prophet Adam and Eve reunited after 45 years they were separated.