The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, his Benue, Osun, and Kano states’ counterparts, Samuel Ortom, Prof Gboyega Oyetola and Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, have felicitated with Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, urging them to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice, tolerance and peace exemplified by the Prophet.
In a Sallah message, Wike said Eid-el-Kabir is a season of love, peace, friendship and sacrifice.
He urged all Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance which would promote peace across the country and enhance national development.
He assured the people of Rivers State that the government would work with the security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.
He congratulated the Muslim community in Rivers State on the Sallah celebration, assuring them that his administration would continue to partner with them to move the state forward.
The governor thanked the state Muslim community for the consistent support that they have always extended to his administration.
Also, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has urged Muslim in the state to continue to emulate the virtues of obedience demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad.
Banigo stated this in a goodwill message in Government House, Port Harcourt to felicitate with Muslims as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.
According to the deputy governor, Prophet Muhammad was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s Command which she said was a rare quality.
Banigo, who assured them that the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike-led government would continue to carry all residents in the state along in the scheme of things, urged them to continue to support the governor.
She said the state government was collaborating with the security agencies to ensure a hitch-free celebration, and wished all Muslims a Happy Eid-el-Kabir.
In the same token, Governor Samuel Ortom urged Nigerians to intensify prayers and support for unity and peace in the country.
While felicitating with the Muslims on the occasion, the governor observed that Eid-el-Kabir offered all Muslims the opportunity to exemplify the virtues of piety, honesty, charity and generosity according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
The governor, in a statement, yesterday, in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, reiterated that the current spate of insecurity where hundreds of school children were kidnapped daily in parts of the country, armed herders frequently attacked farming communities and kill many people, as well as other acts of terrorism, could only be surmounted if security agencies were given adequate support.
“He emphasized that the safety of lives and property in all parts of the state would remain the priority of his administration, and gives assurance that the present administration will continue to uphold the values of transparency, accountability, justice, and equity in serving the people of the state.
“Governor Ortom once again appreciates the understanding and support Benue people have given him since 2015 despite the challenges the state government has faced within the period; and wishes the people of the state a joyful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”
Also speaking, Governor Gboyega Oyetola urged Nigerians to maintain religious tolerance and peace in the country.
He urged Muslim faithful to extend the hands of fellowship to the less privileged during and beyond the festive period.
Oyetola said this, yesterday, after the two rakats prayers at Osogbo Central Eid, Oke-Baale, Osogbo.
While congratulating the Muslim faithful, the governor harped on the need to live in peace despite the religious differences.
He said, “I congratulate all the Muslims in Osun State, in Nigeria and all the whole world at large. We thank God that we are able to celebrate this year’s celebration. Last year, we couldn’t celebrate it. But we thank God for giving us the grace to be here today.
“I want to enjoin our people to live in peace. They should extend hands of fellowship to the less privileged. They deserve to celebrate as well.
“We should not emphasise religious differences. We must have religious tolerance. We must love our neighbours.”
Oyetola enjoined Osun citizens and residents of the state to continue to maintain peace and avoid anything that will threaten the peace of the state.
“Let’s live in peace. Osun is noted for peace. I want us to continue to be celebrated as the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier in his sermon, the Grand Imam of Osun State, Sheik Musa Animasahun, who spoke on the theme of peace, emphasised the need for Nigerians to promote peace and unity.
He also enjoined the Muslim faithful to appreciate God who made it possible to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir despite the setbacks of last year which were triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The central mosque was filled with excited Muslim faithful from Osun State and beyond who had gathered to pray to God and mark the Eid-el-Kabir festival.
The worshippers also complied with the safety protocols against the Covid-19 pandemic through the use of facemasks among others.
Similarly, Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has urged Muslims and other Nigerians to pray against insecurity across the federation.
Ganduje, who congratulated the entire people of Kano and Nigerians over the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, urged them to see to the peaceful and healthy Sallah period, with strict observance of Covid-19 protocols.
He said this immediately after the Eid-Prayer with the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, members of the state Executive Council, party leaders, elders, members of the business community among others at Eid-Prayer ground, Kofar Mata, Kano, yesterday.
“I have to congratulate the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, Chairman of Kano State Council of Emirs, and all other Emirs, the Ulamas, members of the business community, women and youth and the entire people over the coming of this Sallah period,” he said.
He cautioned that, “And also it is very important, since the third wave of Covid-19 is in sight, we should be able to follow the protocols so that we prevent its effect. We say prevention is better than cure. I think that is very important.
“Also, we should continue to pray to Allah Ta’ala to continue protecting our state and the entire country from the insecurity situation that we observe at the moment.”