- Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun preach peace, unity, progress of Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has enjoined Muslims nationwide to imbibe tolerance and patience as Prophet Ibrahim did, urging them to remember the less fortunate as they celebrate another Eid.
“As we immerse ourselves in the joy of this moment and celebrate, let us remember those who may not be as fortunate like us,” Tinubu said in his maiden Eid-el-Kabir message to Nigerians.
The President said, “I join Muslims in Nigeria and all over the world in observance of Eid-el-Kabir.
“We must thank Almighty Allah for the grace to witness another Eid.”
Coming at the end of religious activities spanning the first 10 days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah, Tinubu said Eid-el-Kabir is an opportunity for Muslims to show mercy and compassion to their fellow humans.
He described Eid as a festival of sacrifice and total obedience to Allah, as exemplified by the exceptional action of Prophet Ibrahim.
“There is no greater sense of duty ever recorded in history outside the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as sacrifice to Allah,” the President stated.
He reasoned that the best way by which worshippers can demonstrate this example is in how they conduct themselves in relation to their fellow citizens and in their duties to their beloved country.
“We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahim’s life, namely, complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion,” Tinubu advised.
He called for increased kindness among the faithful, saying, “Let us endeavour to multiply good deeds with our kindness to our fellow Muslims and others by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable in our communities.”
“By doing so, we showcase the values and virtues of our faith,” he added.
The President also addressed the economic challenges weighing heavily on Nigerians at this time.
He affirmed that his administration was working to ease their daily lives and procure a better future.
“At the moment, our country is going through some challenges, especially with our struggling economy and simmering security challenges.
“While I acknowledge all of these, I want to assure you that they are not insurmountable.
“I am working day and night with my team, fleshing out solutions. We have started with the decisions taken so far, to reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth,” he assured.
Tinubu said as all Nigerians embrace the present challenges, they must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that the country’s tomorrow will be better and brighter.
“I wish you all a happy Sallah celebration,” he concluded.
As Nigerians join Muslim faithful all over the world to celebrate Kabir, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rejoiced with Nigerians, especially Muslims, urging them to imbibe the lessons in the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim.
He also encouraged the Muslim faithful to work with other faiths for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in his Eid-el-Kabir message issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Gboyega Akosile, congratulated Muslims in Lagos and advised them to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.
The Governor also advised the Muslim faithful to draw lessons from the Prophet’s examples by eschewing tendencies that could severe the unity and stability in Nigeria.
Speaking on the significance of the Eid al-Adha, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the celebration 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.
He said: “On behalf of my family and the government of Lagos State, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in the state and Nigeria a happy Eid-el-Kabir, which comes with significant lessons for mankind.
“Eid al-Adha has become a symbolic event in human history, following the events that led to the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim, who held tenaciously to his faith in God despite his unpleasant circumstances at the time.
“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 spiritual fulfillment but also for the progress of mankind and the development of our society.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir today, I urge Lagosians and Nigerians to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful coexistence.
“I want to implore all Lagos residents to support our administration in our quest to deliver dividends of democracy and good governance to the people through the THEMES+ agenda for Greater Lagos.
“I also appeal to all Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s efforts in building a nation that would work for all. We must all work for the progress, growth, and development of our dear State and country, Nigeria.”
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has also called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of selflessness, sacrifice and patriotism in the quest to build a virile and economically viable country.
Abiodun, in his message to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, said that what Nigeria needed at this critical stage of her development are sacrifices, love and unity.
According to the governor, the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmael as an act of obedience to God’s command was the greatest act of obeisance, which all Nigerians must imbibe to ensure national unity and economic growth.
He said Nigeria entered a new era on May 29, with the swearing in of a new government, led by President Bola Tinubu, adding that the new government is faced with critical issues of national importance.
“The significance of this celebration should not be lost on every Nigerian. The new government, led by President Bola Tinubu has introduced measures to launch the country on the path to development. Some of these measures, including the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, which are meant to curb wastages, require the sacrifice and the cooperation of every citizen to make them work,” Abiodun said.
The governor reiterated the determination of his government to improve on the wellbeing of the people of Ogun State through various intervention programmes in line with the ISEYA mantra.
He congratulated Muslims in the state and Nigeria on this year’s celebration, even as he urged them to follow the example laid down by Prophet Abraham, which were sacrifice and penitence.
He urged them to pray for the peace and progress of the country.
