President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a thorough post mortem of some Nigerian female pilgrims deported from Mecca over the issue of male companions.

Jonathan made this known yesterday in his Eid-El-Kabir message to Nigerians, which was made available to State House correspondents in Abuja.

He said the essence of the probe was to ensure that Hajj airlift operations were never disrupted by such problems in future and Nigerian pilgrims not subjected to such traumatic experience again.

The president extended warm greetings to Nigerians and Muslims in particular on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival.

He congratulated all Nigerians who successfully undertook the Hajj operations.

Jonathan noted that the country would make faster progress toward the attainment of developmental objectives with the co-operation of the citizens.

He called on people to live up to the highest ideals of religious beliefs, including the fear of God, selfless service, respect for laws and constituted authorities, honesty, justice, equity, fairness, dutifulness, peace and harmonious co-existence with others.

Jonathan said his administration would continue to give dedicated, committed, focused and purposeful leadership toward overcoming old and emerging challenges before the nation.

The president said Nigerians should use the occasion of the Sallah celebration to remember the plight of the victims of flooding.

“I have already announced a relief package of close to N18 billion and constituted a national committee to raise more funds to help victims of the floods.

“In the true spirit of our major religions which enjoin us to be generous to the needy, I urge all Nigerians who can do so to donate munificently to the national relief fund for affected persons and communities.

“We will monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the funds released by the Federal Government and those raised by the national committee very closely to ensure that they are judiciously and expeditiously expended for the benefit of the flood victims,’’ he said.

However, as a Muslims mark this year’s Eid el Kabir, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called for continued prayers for peace, security and development in the country, and its people.

Amaechi stated this in his Sallah message to Muslims and all Nigerians. He congratulated Muslims for the successful conclusion of this year’s Hajj and urged them to continue to pray for the peace and progress of the nation and unity among its people.

The statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor said, “As Nigerians, we should not relent in praying for our country, particularly for our leaders to lead right and for our people to grow in love and oneness to ultimately make our country a better place for us all.

“Let the love and generosity exhibited during the feast of sacrifice become part of our national life, as we strive to eschew violence and all forms of inhumanity.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Rivers State, I wish you happy Sallah. And as you celebrate, reflect on the ideals and virtues of Prophet Muhammed,” Amaechi said.

He assured Muslims in Rivers State of continued support and urged them to be good citizens and worthy ambassadors of the country.

In a similar vein, Senate President David Mark has called on Muslim faithful to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir to pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday implored religious leaders to teach their followers on the right thing to do so that they would not deviate or depart from the truth.

He noted that Nigeria was passing through trying times, especially security challenges, a development, he said, required that all men and women of goodwill rise up to tackle the menace.

The Senate president clarified that the insecurity in the land should not be perceived or seen from the prism of religion but a crime against humanity.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has urged Nigerians to be law abiding at all times and restore the virtues of good neighbourliness.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Tambuwal said for Nigeria to make the necessary progress it desired, the citizenry at all levels must be their brother’s keepers and be more sensitive to the well-being of one another.

According to him, all Nigerians must show commitment and readiness to make sacrifice toward the development of the nation.

He said that making sacrifice for the nation had become imperative now more than ever before, considering the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

The speaker added that while every nation on earth had peculiar challenges confronting its people, the determination to tackle those challenges at times sets some of them apart.

He enjoined Muslim faithful to use the occasion to reflect on their spiritual lives.

“Let me use this opportunity to urge Nigerians, especially adherents of the Islamic faith, to use the occasion to reflect on our spiritual life as individuals and how we can contribute more meaningfully toward making Nigeria the great nation envisioned by its founding fathers.’’