A number of state governors and other prominent Nigerians on Thursday sent out goodwill messages to the country’s Muslims who today join their counterparts around the world to celebrate the 2017 Eid-el-Kabir‎.

‎Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, ‎congratulated all Muslims and urged them to continue to pray for peace, progress and sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

The governor also implored them to work hard to preserve the unity of the country and promote religious and ethnic tolerance in their everyday endeavor so as to make the country a better place.

He also called on all Muslim faithful to pray and support political leaders in the country who are dedicated in ensuring that the dividends of democracy reaches their door steps.

While wishing them a happy celebration, Dickson again assured the Muslim community in Bayelsa o‎f the determination of his government to ensure they live freely and carry out their daily businesses without any form of molestation and intimidation.

In Asaba, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, charged Nigerians to shun hate speeches and collaborate with the Government to surmount the plethora of problems bedeviling the nation.

The governor, in a goodwill message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, stressed the need for Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers.

“I call on all Muslims and indeed Nigerians to use the period to reflect on the various challenges facing the nation. It takes the concerted efforts of all to achieve meaningful development in any nation especially in a period of economic recession,” he said.

Furthermore, he said: “This season calls for forgiveness and love for one another. There is need for Nigerians to be united and be their brothers’ keeper in spite of all odds.

“The faithful should use the opportunity of this Eid-el-Kabir to deepen their faith in Allah and renew the spirit of obeisance to the will of the Almighty in accordance with the inimitable faith of Prophet Ibrahim.

“We should never forget that even in trials and temptations, our love for our neighbour must never diminish and our obedience to the will of Allah must be unwavering.

“As we celebrate, I urge you to spare a moment for our country and pray for her to surmount her present challenges. We should unite in our collective resolve to forge ahead despite our seemingly intractable problems and we should remember that all nations of the world have their peculiar challenges.”

On his part, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, enjoined Muslim faithful to demonstrate the virtue of selfless sacrifice as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, the governor said: “While I join my Muslim brothers and sisters to celebrate this holy day, I urge you to reflect on the essence of the festival.

“Otherwise known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, the Eid-el-Kabir presents an opportunity for us to reflect on the faith, with which Ibrahim (Abraham) willingly agreed to sacrifice his son and was set to let go of his personal belief, just in obedience to the command of Allah.

“With this, we should lay aside all forms of religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments, in the interest of unity, peace, progress and prosperity of not only ourselves but also the nation.

“Therefore, I call on all of us to ensure that as we celebrate, we should seek the face of Allah to be merciful unto us and as well heal our land. We should not relent in praying for wisdom, with which our leaders will see our nation through these challenging times.”

Wishing all Muslims a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Amosun urged them to do so in a state of piety as it is a solemn festival.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki said in a short statement: “As our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate Eid-el-Kabir today, I offer my felicitations on behalf of the government and good people of Edo State.

“We have put in place measures to guarantee that everyone is secure in the state during the celebrations of this very significant event.

“I urge you all to rededicate yourselves to the service of Almighty Allah and continue to manifest the essence of Eid-el-Kabir, which is obedience to God’s command and the expression of love towards all.”

Among other prominent Nigerians who sent messages were Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; and Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah.

Akpabio charged Nigerian Muslims not to forget the very tenets of the religion, which are love, obedience and perseverance, as they celebrate Eid-el-kabir.

Akpabio, whose goodwill message was contained in a release by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, urged Muslim faithful to eschew bitterness and hatred and imbibe the spirit of love, unity and faith as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir today.

He charged Nigerians to continue to use the period to pray for the leadership of the country, noting: “The leadership of this country needs prayers and support from everyone, without any regard for political, religious or ethnic leanings, because economic hardship does not recognise politics, religion nor ethnic divides. This is time all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation for the benefit of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.”

As for Dr. Dakuku Peterside, he noted that the auspicious occasion could not have come at a better time as President Muhammadu Buhari returned recently from London where he was on medical vacation.

Peterside noted that the prayers of Nigerians across different religious backgrounds played a prominent role in the quick recovery of President Buhari who has since resumed work with renewed vigour.

While calling on Muslims to exhibit the virtues of obedience displayed by Prophet Ibrahim who submitted to Allah’s command and was ready to sacrifice Ishmael, his son, the NIMASA boss asked them to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of the nation.

Peterside called on Nigerians to join hands with the President Buhari-led administration in his determined efforts to turn around the country’s fortunes and place her on the path of progressive development.

According to him, “President Buhari means well for Nigeria, and as Nigerians, we must join hands with him to make this country better. God has brought him to lead Nigeria at this time, and we are beginning to see signs of greater things to come. I do not doubt in my mind that Nigeria shall rise again.”

Bro. Obuah, in his own message, congratulated all Muslim faithful in the state and enjoined them to use the occasion to pray for the peace and progress of the state and more significantly, continue to support the State Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike.

Bro. Obuah in a statement said a strict adherence to the teaching of Islam to love one another, brotherliness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence will help create a peaceful environment necessary for Governor Wike to achieve the progressive agenda of the State.

He said Muslims and the entire people in the state have every reason to be thankful to God for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir because of God’s abundant goodness and mercies to the state.

Bro. Obuah said a retrospect into the past months shows that “God has been tremendously kind to Rivers people through the instrumentality of the amiable Governor of the State, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.”

The PDP Chairman urged Muslims to shun social vices as contained in the Koran as such are not only detrimental to the individual’s wellbeing, but harmful to the fabric of the society in various ways that may not be immediately seen.

Bro. Obuah expressed confidence that the present downturn in the economy is a passing phase that will soon be over, as according to him, the Wike administration has potent economic policies that would make this possible.

While stressing that Muslims in the State have a role to play in the implementation of government policies and programmes, the State PDP boss assured that the Wike administration was very passionate in giving the dividends of democracy to all residents in the state.

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