Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration.

In his Sallah message to Muslims issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs Turaki Hassan, Dogara called on the faithful to use the period for sober reflection and to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice for peace, unity and progress of the country.

The Speaker noted that peaceful co-existence and understanding as well as sustained prayers among citizens were essential in the face of the current economic and security challenges in the country which are not insurmountable.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with our friends and families, we must never forget our country and its leadership in our prayers. Eid-el-Kabir celebration is a period of sacrifice and reflection. I urge us all to emulate the virtues of total obedience, sacrifice in faith and selfless service as demonstrated and exemplified by Prophet lbrahim,” the Speaker admonished.

He lamented the pains the citizens were undergoing currently which are occasioned by decades of maladministration and the near collapse of a mono product economy but expressed confidence that the diversification drive of the present President Buhari’s administration coupled with its fiscal discipline and transparency will surely return the nation to the path of true development and prosperity.

Hon. Dogara used the occasion to assure Nigerians that the House of Representatives is determined to continue to work selflessly and tirelessly for the common good and the overall interest of the country and her citizens through effective, efficient and robust law making, oversight and representation.

In a related development, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged the Muslim Ummah and indeed all Nigerians to work in unity and pray for the progress and prosperity of Nigeria.

The Governor, who stated this as part of his goodwill message for the Eid-el-Kabir festival, also called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political leaning to join hands in support of the efforts of the federal government towards revitalising the Nigerian economy.

“If we all come together irrespective of our religious, ethnic and political differences to contribute our own quota to the development of this country, I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria will speedily overcome its current economic challenges,” Amosun said.

The Ogun State Governor further explained that at the very core of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration is a lesson in total obedience and selfless service as exemplified by the decision of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

Drawing from that example, the Governor said: “If Nigerians would all imbibe values such as respect for the rule of law, selfless service and eschew all forms of corruption, then the country can quickly overcome its current challenges and come out stronger and better.”

•Photo shows Speaker Dogara.

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