President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and beyond on this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration, charging them to live by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu also congratulated Muslims on the occasion.
In a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President said that eyond celebrating the day marking the birthday of the Holy Prophet, the period should be used for deep introspection and fervent prayers.
“Adherents should make deliberate efforts to adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. There are great lessons of devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness that we can all learn from the life of the Prophet”, President Tinubu admonished.
He urged religious leaders to use the period to pray for the country and to admonish their followers to take the appropriate lessons from Prophet Muhammad’s life in their commitment to the country.
“Nigeria has arrived at an important juncture. While the government is taking all necessary measures to make the country secure and economically viable, we need the full support of the citizenry in the form of patriotism, patience, and prayers. The light is certainly bright at the end of the tunnel”, the President said.
He also urged Muslims celebrating the Maulud festival to extend their hand of fellowship to the needy and vulnerable in the spirit of the season while praying for the country and her leaders at all levels.
For Sanwo-Olu, Nigerians, particularly the Muslim faithful, should continue on the path of love, peace, unity, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor also called on Muslims to work with other religious denominations for peace and sustainable growth and development of Lagos State.
He said: “I rejoice with millions of people around the world, particularly Muslim brothers and sisters in Lagos State and Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud, which is the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“As we celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad today, let us continue to pray and work together for peace in our dear Lagos State and Nigeria. Let us contribute our quota to the growth and development of Lagos State by supporting the incumbent administration to achieve the Lagos of our dreams.
“I want to use this medium to reassure Lagos residents of our administration’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy, good governance and people-oriented programmes through the THEMES+ developmental agenda for Greater Lagos”.