As the Muslim world and well wishers commemorate Eid-UI-Adha (better known as Eid-el-Kabir or Sallah), Nigerian leaders and groups have joined in the felicitation with messages of diverse dimensions.
In his first Sallah message, President Bola Tinubu assured Nigerians that he is “working day and night” to solve the myriads of challenges facing the country.
Returning from a weeklong official and personal trips to Europe, the President personally issued a statement on Tuesday stating that the decisions taken so far by his administration would “reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth”.
He said: “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.
“As we embrace the present challenges, we must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that our tomorrow shall be better and brighter”.
A young girl presents a flower basket to President Tinubu upon his arrival to Lagos from London on Tuesday. Photo: State House
He also asked Nigerians to remember the less privileged while celebrating.
President Tinubu is scheduled to join fellow Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers on Wednesday at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.
In a statement on Tuesday, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh felicitated Muslims on the occasion of the Eid celebration, “urging our Muslim brothers and sisters to use this occasion to pray for the peace and prosperity of our dear country”.
CAN also called on all Nigerians to pray for our leaders and God’s guidance and wisdom as they steer the affairs of our nation, expressing optimism that Nigeria can achieve its full potential if citizens put aside their differences and work together to build a stronger, more united, and more prosperous nation.
From Minna, the Niger State capital, Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago urged Muslim Ummah worldwide to imbibe the virtues of love, obedience, and sacrifices as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim as they celebrate Eid-El-Kabir.
In a Sallah message by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor stressed the significance of Eid-El-Kabir to Muslims and called on them to use the occasion to deepen their faith and submission to the will of Allah.
He noted that the economic difficulties occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy and appealed to the people to show understanding and confidence in the present administration at all levels as efforts are being made to roll out palliatives to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
Bago charged the Muslim Ummah to remain devoted to their religion and show kindness and tolerance to foster harmonious co-existence in society.
“I congratulate all Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, I call on you to imbibe and reflect on the great lessons of the festival of sacrifice which are the hallmarks of Islam.
“As you celebrate, show piety, make a personal sacrifice to the common good and collective interests of the people”, he said.
The governor also wished all Niger State delegation on pilgrimage a successful exercise and urged them to pray for peace, unity and development in the state as well as be good ambassadors of the state while in the holy land.
While praying for improved security and peace of the state in particular and Nigeria in general, he reassured residents of his determination and commitment to building a new Niger State where peace, unity, growth, and development will be the order of the day as captured in his administration’s policy thrust.
Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Radda called on Christians and Muslims to use the Sallah fesitvity to foster harmonious living among themselves.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, the governor urged them to use the celebration to reawaken the spirit of brotherhood among Nigerians, irrespective of religious and ideological leaning.
He said it is fundamental that Nigerians live peacefully and harmoniously, to foster peace, love and true brotherhood.
“I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria for joining their counterparts across the world to celebrate the 2023 Eid-ul-Adha (festival of sacrifice). The religious festival affords Muslims the opportunity to appreciate their Creator’s endless favour in their lives.
“I urge Muslims in Katsina and other parts of the country to steadfastly pray for national unity, peace and integration this season and always”, he said.
He tasked President Tinubu, governors and other political leaders to assiduously work towards rebuilding the country.
In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to learn from sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim.
He also encouraged the Muslim faithful to work with other faith for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
In his Eid-el-Kabir message by his Media Adviser, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor congratulated Muslims in Lagos and advised them to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence.
Sanwo-Olu 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.
On the significance of the celebration, the governor said it 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”.
Also, Senate President Godswill Akpabio joined a host of other prominent Nigerians to preach tolerance as the Muslim faithful across the globe celebrate Eid today.
Akpabio congratulated President Tinubu as he celebrates the first Eid as President and pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the President during these hard times.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu congratulated Muslims, urging Nigerians to pray for the unity, peace, and progress of the country.
“It is also a time to pray for the success of our leaders as they move to tackle the challenges facing the country, counting on the prayers and support of the people”, the Speaker said.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki urged Nigerians to work together, irrespective of their ethnoreligious inclinations, to ensure the country’s progress.
“We are in dire straits as a nation, but it is a period that demands that we work together in unison and join hands across ethno-religious inclinations for our collective progress”, Obaseki said.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the feast symbolises faith and total reliance on God.
A former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki also congratulated Muslims around the world, noting that the festival symbolised “the test of the faith of Prophet Ibrahim, and urged all Muslims to borrow some of the attributes of the man known as the father of faith”.
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang advised the Muslim ummah to imbibe the virtues of love, selflessness, and sacrifice to mankind.
In his Sallah message in Yola, Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri acknowledged the profound spiritual significance of Eid, which he said is an important reminder to mankind of “selflessness, sacrifice, and unwavering faith in our lives”.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, urged the Muslim faithful to pray “for Nigeria to overcome her challenges and for President Tinubu to succeed in the task of repositioning the country for the benefit of Nigerians”.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke congratulated the Muslim Ummah and all Osun citizens on the occasion of the Eid celebration, extolling their exemplary good virtues.
“I urge all Muslims to continue to live in peace and harmony with their fellow brothers, while coexisting peacefully with people of other faiths”, Adeleke said.
The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA) also rejoiced with Muslims all over the world on the celebration of the 1445AH Eid-el-Kabir.
In a statement, MAPAMA’s National President, Prince Taofeek Oyeniyi said: “I rejoice with the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta Muslim Alumni (MAPAMA) members, at home and abroad, and most significantly, the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and the world over, on this significant festivity period.
“I’m delighted and full of thanks to Allah for making us and our families to be part of this very important spiritual festival.
“To this end, I wish all Muslims across the globe a smooth, peaceful, successful and highly rewarding celebration.
“However, as we celebrate, I wish to admonish that we should not lose some of the significant lessons that come with the season to its merry-makings.
“First, I urge the Muslims to recommit themselves to Allah’s commandments, in all aspects of our daily life. I can confirm that here lies the sought peace and success in this life and ultimately hereafter. We should remember that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Ismail totally submitted and committed themselves to Allah’s will. Although, the experience at the beginning of their trial, was tough, frightening and worrisome, but in the end, they became victorious!
“We should note that the success that emanated from their resilience, commitment and dedication to Allah’s desire are what we mark and celebrate today. I therefore urge fellow Muslim faithful to replicate the same in thoughts, conducts and daily interactions.
“Similarly, as we slaughter our sacrificial animals, we should, as Allah enjoined us in the Quran, be gripped by His fear. This fear is manifested in intention to always seek Allah’s pleasure in all our actions and dealings.
“Following this, I call on Nigerian Leaders to prioritize the interest of the masses in all of their actions and policies. The leaders should shun greed, crave and temptation to amass public wealth for personal use, as well as impunity, all of which are the misgivings that had frustrated the socio-economic development of the country in the past. Now, it’s time, Nigeria should and must rise again, and stop living under the guise of her old glory!
“On the part of followers, I urge Nigerians to embrace unity and spread it across board. In particular, I charge Muslims to be the advocates of a united and peaceful Nigeria. Share love and give charity ceaselessly, as much as you can. We can’t do less, as this is part of obligations rested on us as Muslims”.
