BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, have felicitated Muslims on the occasion of the 1442 AH Eid-el-Kabir festival, urging them not to forget the symbolic significance of the festival.
In their separate messages to Muslim faithful on Monday, they encouraged worshippers to take cognisance of the symbolic significance of the festival, imbibe the lessons of obedience and sacrifice as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.
The Governor in a statement issued by Ismail Omipidan, his Chief Press Secretary, called on the faithful and all Nigerians to use the celebration to pray to Allah to save the country from the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity and other challenges facing the nation, just as he emphasised the need for unity, love, tolerance and peaceful co-existence among people in the state and Nigerians in general.
While wishing Muslims happy Sallah celebration, the governor reminded them that COVID-19 was still here and appealed to them to comply strictly with the safety protocols while celebrating.
The deputy governor, in a message issued by his spokesperson, Olaniyi Ajibola, stressed that the exemplary attributes of obedience and selflessness displayed by Prophet Ibrahim should be the guiding principles of every Islamic faithful and people of other faiths.
The Speaker, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Alabi, urged Muslim faithful to uphold their obedience to Allah in the spirit of forgiveness for one another.
Similarly, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo called on Muslim and Christians alike to continue to uphold obedience to God in the spirit of forgiveness and true love for one another.
In a Sallah message jointly signed by the Bishop and Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogundipe, Director of Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Diocese, Muslims were urged to reflect on the need for peaceful coexistence and be ready to combat religious fanaticism.
“I humbly urge us to use this medium to reflect on our common need for peaceful coexistence, good governance and youth empowerment. We must be ready to combat all forms of prejudices, fake news, hate speech and religious fanaticism and join hands with our leaders in making Nigeria work for all of us,” Badejo said.
