Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.
He observed the Eid prayer in Zaria alongside the Emir of Zazzau Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, the APC Governorship Candidate in Kaduna, Malam Uba Sani and other Muslim faithful.
Governor Elrufai congratulated pilgrims from the state for the opportunity to undertake the Hajj for the first time since 2019.
“It is my great honour and privilege to salute the Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir” The Governor noted.
Governor Elrufai explained that the festival of sacrifice was a celebration of Prophet Ibrahim’s absolute faith in the Almighty Allah, a tradition that the noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) continued with, which is being observed annually by Muslims worldwide as an act of worship.
“As we confront our challenges and difficulties, we are invited to emulate sacrifice and faith in our daily lives.
Governor Nasiru Elrufai urged Nigerians to come together to make things better.
He emphasized the need for them to embrace the lesson of sacrifice and uphold peace and goodwill towards all.
Nigerians have been urged to eschew all forms of violence in their daily conduct with one another to have a more peaceful and secured nation.
Also, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the advice at the Eid-Prayers to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir held at the Lagos Central Mosque, on Lagos Island.
Represented by Obafemi Hazat, Governor Sanwo-Olu Deputy said that the act of killing people in the name of religion did not conform with any religious teaching including Islam and as such should not be encouraged in the country.
He urged the people to live in peace with one another wherever they found themselves.
Dr Hamzat also called on Lagos residents, Muslim faithful in particular, to be security conscious as they go about the Eid-Kabir celebration.
Earlier, in a sermon, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Toyin Abou-Nolla called on federal and States governments not to relent in their efforts at ensuring that the society is safe for all to live in.
The Chief Imam said that Islam remained a religion of peace and does not condone killing of fellow human beings.
From Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has called on Muslims in the country to use the EId el Kabi period to pray fervently for the return of peace in the country.
The Governor made the call in his Sallah message to the people of Sokoto state.
He said that the security situation was fast changing economic development of the country stressing that many families, relatives, friends, neighbours are in anguish as a result of being bereaved, wounded, kidnapped or displaced.
Governor Tambuwal who expressed his gratitude to Allah for His guidance and protection, said the state government is committed to working with the security agencies in the state in a bit to ending security challenges that has shortchanged the development of the country.
He reminded Nigerians of the upcoming 2023 elections and urged them to ensure that they obtained their Voters Card to enable them choose leaders of their choice, who could salvage the country from problems militating against its progress and development.
In Niger State, Governor Abubakar Bello has asked Muslims and Christians not to relent in offering prayers for an end to the current security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
The Governor made the remark after observing the two rakaat’s prayers for Eid el Kabir at Minna eid prayer ground. Alhaji Abubakar Bello said that prayers remain the only viable option in addressing the current problems confronting Nigeria.
He saluted the courage and sacrifice of security agencies in the fight against insurgency and called for collective effort by all and sundry to succeed.
Former Niger state Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu stressed the need for Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice to move the country forward.
In his Khutba, the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Sheikh Isa Fari charged wealthy Muslims to always assist the needy to reduce their hardship.
In the same vein, The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC, Mr Christopher Maikalangu has felicitated with Muslims in the Area and the Federal Capital Territory as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
The Chairman in his Salah messages advised Muslims and all Nigerians to use the period, to embrace one another in promoting long-lasting peace and unity in Nigeria.
Mr Maikalangu said Muslims must not fail to sustain discipline displayed during the last Ramadan fast, to exhibit those qualities that would make Nigeria the best nation the globe can always be proud of.
The Chairman emphasized that the occasion should be used to foster unity, by making exemplified sacrifice among all in the spirit of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim culminating in the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.
He stressed the need for selfless life of love and sacrifice from the people based on the principles behind the Eid-el-Kabir.
Mr Maikalangu urged all residents of AMAC to be law-abiding, as his administration would strive to implement necessary policies to improve the economy of the council.
The Chairman while appreciating Almighty Allah for being alive to witness this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, enjoined all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious and political affiliation to continue to live in peace and harmony with one another and be their brothers’ keeper.
The Chairman reaffirmed the administration’s determination to strengthen enduring institutions for the emergence of a dynamic, orderly, and all-inclusive council, that everyone must see AMAC as his or her collective heritage.
Mr Maikalangu also appealed for greater unity, love, and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, as well as total support for President Muhammad Buhari’s administration in its fight against security challenges and plans to grow the economy, expressing confidence that better days are ahead.
The Chairman called for prayers for the FCT Administration and success of the country’s leadership under President Buhari, for Allah’s guidance, protection, and wisdom to steer the affairs of the nation as his administration winds up.
In a related development, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Jaji has enjoined both Muslims and Christians to use this Eid period to spread peace, love, tolerance and humanity at large.
In a statement by the Assistant Controller of the Service, Abraham Paul, the Controller General of the Federal Fire and Rescue Service felicitated with Muslims on the occasion of the celebration and called for renewal of faith among Muslims and other faithful in the interest of the nation.
Controller General appealed to Muslim Faithful to be fire safety conscious during the celebrating, and assured of the Service’s readiness to respond to any emergency during and after the celebration.
The Controller General used the occasion to thanked the staff, Officers and Men of the Service for their over support his administration enjoys, since assumption of office, and assured them of his commitment to make the agency better.
From Kebbi State, Governor Atiku Bagudu, has felicitated with the people of the State on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.
Governor Bagudu prayed that Allah bring peace and mercy upon the country.
The Governor, while thanking Allah for the rainy season, assured farmers in the state of the readiness of Government to address the attack of quelea birds ravaging rice farms in some parts of the state.
He said himself and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, would join hands in putting pressure on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to address the situation.
In his Sallah message to Muslim faithfuls shortly after the completion of the two rakaat prayer, the Emir of Gwandu, Rtd Major General Muhammadu Bashar represented by the Wazirin Gwandu, Abdullahi Umar expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for yet another peaceful Eid-el- Kabir celebration.
He urged people to remain loyal and respect their leaders while calling on the leaders to give more emphasis on developmental issues.
The emir called on parents to monitor and enforce discipline on their wards to reduce societal vices.
Kikelomo Ifekoya, Matthew Ayoola, Halima Idris, Aminu Dalhatu; Nasir Malali, Aliyu Lawal, Abdullahi Tukur; editing by Adeniyi Bakare
