Eid-el-Kabir Celebration: Tinubu, Shettima Urge Nigerians To Embrace Peace And Sacrifice

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to entrench the values of tolerance, generosity and peaceful coexistence.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He made the call while leading the congregational prayers at Dodan Barracks in Lagos on Wednesday, urging citizens to shun ethnic divisions and all forms of hatred that undermine national unity.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other dignitaries joined him in the prayers.
Tinubu said the holy occasion is still a great reminder of obedience, sacrifice, love for humanity and complete submission to the will of Almighty Allah, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.
“We thank Almighty Allah for allowing us to see another year of Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Him for His mercy and we must learn from the lessons of this season, which is to show love one to another. No discrimination, no ethnicity, no hatred. We should share love and be generous to one another in a way that reflects the values of our country and humanity.
“It is very important that we be very tolerant and obedient to the wishes of Allah and the rule of law that must guide our society’’ the President said.
He emphasised that the strength of Nigeria lies in its diversity and common humanity, noting that no ethnic, religious or political difference should be more important than the collective aspiration for peace, progress and national development.
The President urged citizens to reflect on the enduring lessons of the season by being kind to one another, helping the less privileged and holding human life more sacred, saying that banditry has no place in the holy books.
“There is nowhere in the holy teachings that it says you should do banditry or take a human life. The sacrifice of which we speak, even from the beginning of life, when we get these lessons, teaches us that a child was replaced by an animal. “That is the price of a human life,” the President said.
In his sermon, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, urged Muslims to fear Allah and promote unity, generosity and sacrifice in the spirit of the Holy Book.
He prayed for the President’s continued good health and wisdom, and commended the sacrifices of the past leaders of Nigeria who built a united nation.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has also appealed to Nigerians to come together and accept shared sacrifice as the country pushes ahead with its economic and security reforms under President Bola Tinubu.
Shettima, in his Eid-el-Kabir message on Wednesday, said the values of faith, obedience and compassion exhibited by the Prophet Ibrahim were still relevant to Nigeria’s quest for peace, stability and inclusive growth.
“This is a time to reflect, to step out to the vulnerable, to bridge our communities,” he said. “What divides us is much smaller than what unites us. ‘For Nigeria to move forward we must build the spirit of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.’
The vice-president warned that division and mistrust eat into national development. He called on citizens to set aside ethnic, religious and political differences to collectively face the challenges facing the country.
Shettima said the Tinubu administration is committed to the fight against insecurity, stabilisation of the economy, creation of jobs and expansion of opportunities.
He said the reforms are needed to guarantee a stronger future, but admitted they will require patience.
I am calling on all Nigerians to support the agenda of the government. We must all realise that there is the need for unity of purpose and shared sacrifice in tackling the issues of insecurity, poverty and social dislocation.
Shettima also commended the sacrifices of the armed forces and security agencies, adding that the restoration of peace remains a top priority for the citizens.
“Nigeria is progressively moving towards peace, recovery and sustainable development.
“But the morning will come, no matter how long the night,” he said.
Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has urged the Muslim faithful to take advantage of Eid el-Kabir to pray for peace, unity, love and social cohesion in Nigeria.
Nwifuru made the call in a goodwill message issued on Wednesday in Abakaliki by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.
The country’s many challenges, the governor said, required spiritual intervention through sincere prayers and supplication to Allah.
He said that religious occasions such as the Eid-el-Kabir, presented an opportunity for Nigerians to seek divine intervention in the challenges facing the nation.
The reality is that sacred occasions, events and seasons such as these give us not only the chance, but the rare privilege to seek spiritual solutions to the plethora of physical challenges facing us as a nation.
“Eid-el-Kabir is such an opportunity graciously given us to seek Allah’s face and intervention,” Nwifuru said.
He said peace, unity and love were critical ingredients for national development and harmonious co-existence in a pluralistic society.
He added: “As we celebrate this sacred event, I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray for peace across the country, unity in pursuit of a common national goal and love for one another to ensure social cohesion.”
The governor also restated the determination of his administration to foster interfaith relations through sustained engagement with religious organisations.
He said that partnering with faith-based groups remained critical to delivering good governance under his administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs” agenda.
“We will continue to work with religious organisations in delivering good governance as enshrined in the People’s Charter of Needs agenda,” he said.
Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has described the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration as a sacred season of faith, sacrifice, obedience and compassion, urging Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa said this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls in Government House Benin City, reiterating his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
He said the present administration remains committed to building a government that mirrors the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“We as a government are committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. That’s why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Governor Okpebholo thanked the Muslim community in Edo State for their steadfast support and constant prayers for his administration, saying such prayers and support have greatly contributed to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
He urged all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to take this opportunity to pray for our beloved nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria requires our collective prayers, unity and support as we endeavour to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor Esq, commended the Governor, Okpebholo for his support and goodwill to the Muslim community in Edo State.
He said the governor was a leader who had always demonstrated love, fairness and inclusiveness in governance, adding that Muslims in the state were still grateful for the opportunities and recognition given by the present administration.
He said that the policies and appointments of Governor Okpebholo have continued to be a source of hope and joy to the Muslim faithful and assured him of the continued loyalty and support of the community.
In his remarks, Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, commended the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration on the ongoing infrastructural development and efforts aimed at improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has urged Nigerians especially the Muslim faithfuls across the country to continue to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader who is very passionate about addressing the challenges of Nigeria and moving the country forward.
The call came as he received leaders and members of the Muslim community in Ebonyi State at his residence in Abakaliki as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He said the gathering is in the spirit of unity and peaceful coexistence that has continued to define Ebonyi State over the years.
“Muslims of various ethnic groups such as Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba extraction have always been part of the yearly Sallah celebration hosted by me and my family,” he said.
“And those of Igbo extraction, Hausa extraction, and Yoruba extraction, all in Ebonyi State, every year, during Sallah, we have always invited them. Sometimes, we join them with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN to celebrate because I strongly believe that we are worshiping one God,” he said.
Senator Umahi said he called on the Muslim faithfuls to assist them with gifts including cash, bags of rice and groundnut oil, to enable them celebrate the Sallah festival happily with their families.
“Today I invited them to give them presents – money, rice and groundnut oil so they can buy their rams and celebrate,” he said.
The Minister used the occasion to passionately appeal to Nigerians to pray for the success, strength and re-election of President Tinubu, insisting that the President remains focused on solving the country’s numerous challenges.
“I also ask them to pray for the President. We must pray for the President for his health and strength, and for his re-election because the President means well for Nigeria. “He has the interest of our country at heart,” Umahi said.
He also expressed his confidence in the leadership capacity of President Tinubu, saying that none of the critics of the administration has presented a more practical alternative to the reforms being implemented.
I do not see any other person with the kind of commitment he has to the daunting challenges we have in Nigeria and nobody has been able to come out and say, ‘Listen, this particular area that you are criticizing, this is the best way to go about it.” So let us pray for the President,” he said.
The Minister also prayed for Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the state, asking God to continue to strengthen them to deliver more democratic dividends to the people.
Let us also pray for all our governors. In Ebonyi State in particular, we pray for the President, we pray for Governor Nwifuru, we pray for all the APC candidates, that God will strengthen and keep them, and continue to help them deliver the dividends of democracy,” he said.
Senator Umahi also wished the Muslim faithfuls in Ebonyi State and Nigeria happy Sallah, and specially wished President Tinubu happy Sallah celebration.
I want to wish not just those in ebonyi state but our muslim brothers and sisters all over the country a happy Sallah. And I say happy Sallah especially to Mr. President”.