EID-EL-KABIR: President Buhari, Governors Tambuwal, Ahmed, Senator Mark greet, task Muslims

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with all Nigerians of the Islamic faith as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, even as he pledged his administration’s commitment to rapidly overcoming the country’s current security, economic and developmental challenges.

A statement by Garba Shehu, SSA to the President, (Media & Publicity) said that President Buhari, who also congratulated all Nigerian Muslims who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj urged Muslims and other Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of the lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of all mankind.
He called for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all, assuring that the safety, well-being and progress of all remain uppermost in his thoughts and actions, and that he will continue to work with all his might to deliver the positive changes in national life which they expect after his election and inauguration as Head of the Government of the Federation.
The President seized the opportunity to extend heartfelt commiserations to families in Maiduguri and North-Eastern Nigeria who have sadly lost beloved relatives in recent terrorist attacks.
President Buhari’s thoughts and prayers for Divine solace are with all those who have been callously plunged into mourning by mindless terrorists, when others are celebrating this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.
According to the statement, the President 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.
President Buhari assured all Nigerians that the days of Boko Haram are numbered, stressing that Boko Haram’s reign of terror in parts of the country will be finally over very soon as the ongoing military onslaught against the terrorist sect will continue relentlessly until total victory is achieved.

In his message, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, enjoined Nigerians to 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.

In the message issued in Sokoto, Governor Tambuwal said meaningful development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.

His said the present APC-led Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, will continue working tirelessly to build solid foundations for sustainable national development.

While praying for hitch-free Sallah celebrations, Tambuwal said his administration will continue to lay emphasis on the resuscitation of key sectors as roads, transportation, agriculture, education, healthcare and youth/women employment.

This, according to him, becomes necessary so as to take Sokoto to a higher level.

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed on his part, urged muslims to use the Eid-el-Kabir to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, good neighbourliness and selfless service premised on the virtues of Islam.

Governor Ahmed in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba,
to mark this year’s eid-el-kabir festival, stressed that Nigerians must always work for the good of the country above personal or sectional interest.
Dr Ahmed 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.
The Governor expressed gratitude to religious leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, trade unions, politicians and the entire people of the state for their prayers and love and for ensuring sustainable peace in the state.
He noted that for Nigeria to realize its potentials as a nation, Nigerians of all religious persuasions must work collectively, consciously and submit to the common religious doctrine of being their brother’s keeper.
“We must therefore use the eld-el-kabir as another opportunity for us to reflect on the essence of sacrifice and humility as fulcrums for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our polity”, he said.
Governor Ahmed assured the people of the State that his administration remained committed to the formation and implementation of policies and programmes designed to drive their socio-economic development.

The Governor reiterated that despite the plan to boost internally generated revenue to N2bn monthly, additional taxes would not be imposed on the people of the State.

Immediate past president of the Senate, Senator David Mark on his part, called for religious tolerance and harmonious coexistence between and among Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, political or religious affiliation .

In a statement by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark said: “Love for one another, mutual respect and harmonious relationship should always be the corner stone of our existence.”

Senator Mark in his goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s EID- EL- KABIR , said only a people united under an atmosphere of peace can bring the needed progress and development, ” We must continue to promote peace , unity and development no matter the odds.”

Specifically, 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.

Senator Mark lamented that Nigeria has had more than a fair share of violent crimes and terrorism that continued to claim millions of lives and properties even as he pleaded with insurgents to free the over 200 Chibok school girls held in captivity .

He frowned at the situation that has rendered the nation’s economy barren and made life much more unbearable for citizens.

He said: “Time has come for perpetrators of these heinous crimes and all forms of rebellion against the nation to see reasons and lay down their arms for peace to reign. Violence is not a way of life and certainly not part of our culture and heritage.

“We must do all we can to end the unabating carnage threatening our peace and existence as a people. We have no other country we can claim to be ours except Nigeria, the land of our birth.”

Senator Mark therefore urged Nigerians across the divide to cooperate with government at all levels in the onerous task of developing the nation saying that both the government and the governed needed to be on the same page for development to thrive.