Eid-el-Kabir: Tinubu, Shettima Call For Tolerance, Unity And Generosity Among Nigerians

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

He was joined in prayers by 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.
Tinubu said the holy occasion remains a great reminder of obedience, sacrifice, love for humanity and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.
We are thanking Almighty Allah for allowing us to see another year of Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Him for His mercy and we should learn from the lessons of this season which is to show love one to another. No discrimination, no ethnicity, no hatred We should love and be kind to each other 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 stressed that the strength of Nigeria is in its diversity and common humanity, adding that no ethnic, religious or political difference should be more important than the collective aspiration for peace, progress and national development.
He called on the citizenry to learn the lessons of the season which are kindness to one another, helping those who are less privileged and holding human life more sacred, adding that banditry has no place in the holy books.
“There is no place in the holy teachings where it says you should do banditry or take a human life. And the sacrifice, of which we speak, even from the beginning of life, we get these lessons, that a child was replaced by an animal. “That is the price of a human life,” said the President.
The Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, in his sermon, implored Muslims to fear Allah and to embrace unity, generosity and sacrifice in the spirit of the Holy Book.
“May God continue to bless the President with good health and wisdom,” he prayed and commended the sacrifices of the past leaders of Nigeria who built a united nation.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also urged Nigerians to come together and accept shared sacrifice as the country pushes ahead with its economic and security reforms under President Bola Tinubu.
In his Eid-el-Kabir message on Wednesday, Shettima 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 for reflection, for stepping out to the vulnerable, for bridging our communities,” he said. “ What divides us is far less than what brings us together. ‘To move forward in Nigeria we must build the spirit of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.’
The vice-president said division and mistrust would eat into national development. He called on citizens to set aside ethnic, religious and political differences to confront the challenges facing the country together.
He said the Tinubu administration was committed to the fight against insecurity, stabilisation of the economy, job creation and expansion of opportunities.
He said the reforms are necessary to ensure a stronger future but acknowledged they will take patience.
“I call on Nigerians to support the government’s agenda, emphasizing that unity and shared sacrifice are crucial in tackling insecurity, poverty and social dislocation.
He said restoration of peace remains a top priority for the citizens, adding that the sacrifices of the armed forces and security agencies were commendable.
Nigeria is moving steadily towards peace, recovery and sustainable development.
“But the morning will come whatever the night,” he said.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has advised the Muslim faithful to use the opportunity of the Eid el-Kabir to pray for peace, unity, love and social harmony in Nigeria.
Nwifuru made the call in a goodwill message issued on Wednesday in Abakaliki by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.
The governor said the many challenges facing the country needs spiritual intervention through prayer and supplication to Allah.
He said religious occasions such as the Eid-el-Kabir, presented an opportunity for Nigerians to seek divine intervention in the challenges facing the nation.
The truth is that sacred occasions, events and seasons like these provide us not only the opportunity, but the rare privilege to look for spiritual solutions to the plethora of physical challenges confronting us as a nation.
“Eid-el-Kabir is such an opportunity graciously given us to seek Allah’s face and intervention,” Nwifuru stated.
He said peace, unity and love were key 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 reaffirmed the resolve of his administration to promote interfaith relations through sustained engagement with religious organisations.
He said working with faith-based groups continued to be 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.
Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, 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, reiterated 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 reflects the diversity of Edo State, saying competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we are committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. That is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Governor Okpebholo thanked the Muslim community in Edo State for their steady support and constant prayers for his administration, stating such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development across the state.
He called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of the Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country requires collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I call on all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to seize this moment to pray for our beloved nation and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we seek to surmount our challenges and forge a better 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 Ummah in Edo State.
He said the governor was a leader who had always shown love, fairness and inclusiveness in governance, adding that Muslims in the state were still thankful for the opportunities and recognition given by the present administration.
He said 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.
Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, in his remarks, 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 towards 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 called on 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 when 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 co-existence that has continued to define Ebonyi State over the years.
“Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba Muslims of various ethnic backgrounds 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 urged 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 that 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, saying the President remains focused on solving the country’s numerous challenges.
“I also ask for 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 good of our country at heart,” Umahi said.
He also expressed confidence in the leadership capacity of President Tinubu, saying none of the critics of the administration has presented a more practical alternative to the reforms being implemented.
I don’t 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.” “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, praying God to continue to strengthen them to deliver more democratic dividends to the people.
Pray for all our governors as well. 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, especially in Ebonyi State,” 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 our muslim brothers and sisters all over the country a happy Sallah, not just those in ebonyi state. And I say happy Sallah especially to Mr President”.