Govs urge sacrifice for Nigeria’s peace, progress

As Muslims celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir on Sunday, governors and community leaders called for sacrifice as highlighted through acts of charity and kindness, to engender peace and progress in the country.

The faithful trooped out to various Eid grounds to celebrate the occasion, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah’s command to sacrifice his son.

At the Eid praying ground in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, joined the congregation to offer prayers to God for continued peace in the country.

Governor AbdulRaza prayed to Allaah to make peace, unity, and progress permanent features of the state and Nigeria while urging citizens to unite and work for a better country.

“Yesterday, the Amirul Hajj for Kwara, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, reached out to me from the Holy Land and asked for my prayer points. I said my prayer for Nigeria is unity, peace, and progress.

“Today, my message is the same: unity, peace, and progress. For those of us who have seen today, we say Alhamdulilahi. For those who have departed, we say may Allaah grant them Al-Jannah Firdaus.”

The emir also prayed for continuous peace and prosperity for the state and Nigeria, urging unity among sons and daughters of the Ilorin Emirate.

In his Sallah message, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, enjoined the Muslim faithful to use the season to promote tolerance and the spirit of sacrifice and perseverance, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Ibrahim.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor noted that Eid-el-Kabir highlighted the significance of unity, cooperation and mutual respect, urging Nigerians to continue to work towards peace and progress.

Fubara said the festival of sacrifice served as a reminder of the need for harmony in society, as he called on Nigerians to draw important lessons from the season to engender peace and progress in the nation.

The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, called on leaders at all levels to embrace the lessons of the festival, which symbolises sacrifice, obedience and a profound test of faith for the benefit of the people.

The governor, during a feast with heads of government agencies at his official residence shortly after the Eid prayer in Gombe, stressed that the essence of Eid-el-Kabir served as a universal lesson for all leaders, regardless of their faith.

“We must sacrifice at all times and at all points, especially as leaders. We have much to learn from this festival. I believe that not only Muslims but also our Christian brethren understand the importance of such a command and the spirit of sacrifice,” the governor stated.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, exhorted the adherents of Islam to follow the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed, by absorbing the principles of selflessness demonstrated by the Holy Prophet.

He said the Eid-el-Kabir celebration was a time of sacrifice, love, harmony, and family time and urged Nigerians, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, to keep up their peaceful coexistence and to love and care for one another.

“We must use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to reflect further and pray for our country to overcome the many problems confronting it,” he said.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State congratulated Muslim ummah in the state and across the nation and called on them to use the occasion to exhibit love, tolerance, peace, unity, and a sense of sacrifice to move the nation forward.

Mbah, in his goodwill message to the Muslim faithful at Eid el-Kabir, stressed that the present socio-economic challenges would ultimately abate through the collective sacrifice and commitment to nation-building by all Nigerians.

“As we celebrate, let us also reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice, charity, love, service, peace, unity, humility, and submission to the command of God that this occasion represents,” he said.

The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, in his Sallah message, said, “The occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir should be used to reflect on how we have fared morally and spiritually during the last year, to take corrective measures, where necessary, to be amongst the believers who will enjoy the mercies of Allah in the hereafter.

“Islam as a religion propagates total submission to the will of Allah and peaceful co-existence amongst the Muslim Ummah and with adherents of other faiths.”

He asked that the period be used to strengthen the existing interpersonal relationships and create new ones.

“We are not unmindful of the economic hardship being experienced by the generality of the people. This is a national problem that is being jointly addressed by the federal and state governments.

“I want to appeal to you to bear with the temporary situation. As a responsive responsible government, we will render palliative measures to cushion the effects of the hardship. I will, however, appeal to you to make some sacrifices to ensure that we overcome the hardship,” he noted.

On his part, the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, vowed to continue to make the security of lives and property a top priority of his administration.

Ododo, speaking after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Okene central praying ground on Sunday, said “We will make sure that Kogi is not a fertile land for criminals to come and test their intelligence.”

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu, all the security agencies and local vigilantes for their efforts in rescuing the abducted students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara and condoled with the families of two out of the 31 students who died in the hands of the kidnappers.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, urged adherents of the Islamic faith in the country to reflect on the season which promotes the virtues of love, peace, self-abnegation and patriotism.

The governor also admonished Muslims to strengthen the bonds of love and brotherhood, noting that these were universal principles founded on proper religious practices.

He stressed that his administration would continue to uphold its policy of non-discrimination and peaceful co-existence, as he remained committed to the unity of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Sunday, prayed that this year’s Eid-el-Kabir would be a source of blessing, peace, prosperity, and safety for all Nigerians, and would lead to a peaceful co-existence and progress in the country.

Oba Adejugbe said the challenges confronting the country at present were surmountable with the prayers of citizens.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, he called for kindness among the faithful by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable in society.

“The country is going through some challenges, especially with a struggling economy and security challenges. These are surmountable with prayers,” he said.

The President of the 8th Senate and ex-Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, in a statement by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, said the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his unfaltering faith, exemplified by his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismael, taught of invaluable lessons about faith, obedience, and sacrifice.

Saraki said the lessons resonated deeply, now more than ever, as the country grappled with various challenges, including the current economic realities.

He encouraged Nigerians to take a moment to pray fervently for the nation and its leaders.

“May Allah (SWT) guide them with wisdom and compassion to make decisions that will bring prosperity, peace, and development to our beloved Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, in his Sallah message, commended Muslims and highlighted the significance of the season.

According to a statement signed by Nasif Sholagberu, his Media Assistant, Mustapha called for the embrace of values of sacrifice, obedience, and faith embodied by Prophet Ibrahim.

The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, on Sunday feted Nigerians, particularly the Muslim faithful, on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In a congratulatory statement issued in Abuja by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Kennedy Mbele, the lawmaker called on Nigerians, especially leaders, to reflect and emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s virtues of sacrifice.

She, therefore, appealed to the affluent in society to allow the poor in their midst to breathe.

She said, “The gap between the rich and the poor in this country is inexplicable. The rich must therefore make some meaningful sacrifices to reduce the vast gap. For progress to be made in life, some valuables must be given up for the sake of other considerations.”

A former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, called on Nigerian Muslims to embrace kindness and peaceful coexistence with individuals of other faiths.

In his goodwill message commemorating the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, Peller emphasised the significance of embracing goodwill, compassion, and reflection embodied by the sacred celebration.

He urged everyone to embrace unity, kindness, and understanding amidst Nigeria’s diverse populace and stressed the need to reach out and extend support to those in need.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, Dr Muhammad Idris, urged stakeholders to renew their dedication to the education of every child, particularly the out-of-school children in the country.

In his Sallah message on Sunday, where he described education as a fundamental right of every child, he commended the efforts of Tinubu to eradicate the challenges faced by Almajiri and out-of-school children in Nigeria.

“I call upon all stakeholders to renew their dedication to education as a fundamental right for every child. Education remains the cornerstone for unlocking the potential of our youths and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

“As we observe this auspicious festival, let us embody the values of compassion, empathy, and selflessness that define Eid-El-Kabir. Let us strive to positively impact the lives of those in need, particularly the Almajiri and out-of-school children, who depend on our support and care,” he added.

The Muslim community in Anambra State led by Sarkin Hausa of Awka, Alhaji Haruna Garuba and the Deputy National Director-General of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders  Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, called for peaceful co-existence in Anambra and the entire South-East geopolitical zone.

The duo made the call on Sunday, shortly after the Eid prayers at the Central Mosque in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Haruna particularly urged the Muslim community in the state to use the celebration to reflect and pray for peace and harmony in Nigeria.

Sidikki, on his part, urged his Fulani brothers in the state to live in harmony with their host communities.

“Eid al-Adha, also known as Eid-eil-Kabir, is celebrated annually by Muslims worldwide to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isma’il, as an act of obedience to Allah, who then substituted Isma’il with a ram. This is why Muslims traditionally sacrifice a ram on this day.

“We observe Eid-eil-Kabir as an act of submission to Almighty Allah, acknowledging that everything we receive and experience is ordained by Him. Despite enduring losses due to attacks and insurgency, we recognise that insecurity affects every region, not just the South East.

“Therefore, we use this occasion to beseech Allah for forgiveness and grant solace to those who have lost loved ones, while expressing gratitude for our health and survival,” he said.