Prominent Nigerians on Monday sent their greetings to the Muslim faithful ahead of today’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In his message, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State urged them to love one another and pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria. The Governor in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, also admonished them to take advantage of the celebration to propagate brotherly love among Nigerians of all religions.

The Governor, who regretted that the country is more than ever before too divided along religious, ethnic and partisan lines, called on Nigerians to jettison the hate speeches that tend to threaten the age-long love, unity and peaceful co-existence of the people of the country.

While commending Muslims in Bayelsa State for supporting his government, Governor Dickson assured that, the Government will continue to promote peaceful coexistence among adherents of different religions in the state.

He stated that Bayelsa remains home to all Nigerians, regardless of religious and ethnic affinities, adding that, Nigeria can only thrive and become a great nation again, if we can all live in peace as well as imbibe the unity of purpose and love that inspired “our founding fathers to collectively fight for the independence of the country.”

The Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in his message, canvassed stronger bonds of love among the different religions in Nigeria as a means of building a stronger and more united Nigeria.

He said it was only love and sacrificial living that is capable of making leaders and followers alike to rise above the self and make constructive contributions towards building a stronger and more economically and socially prosperous Nigeria.

The Governor, who noted the selfless sacrifice of the Holy Prophet Ibrahim by agreeing to sacrifice his son in total obedience and submission to the will of God, called on Muslim faithful to follow the examples already laid down by the Holy Prophet as a means of ensuring the enthronement of peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

“This is a season filled with lessons for all Nigerians irrespective of religious beliefs. The total submission of Ibrahim to the will of Allah is a pointer to the gains inherent in sacrificial living. Although Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son, little did he know that God was only testing his love and faith. The lessons for us as individuals is that of being willing and disposed to offering what we have for the benefit of the environment we find ourselves, especially given that God Almighty has called on all of us to obey him through love to others around us and also through total submission to his will,” he stated.

The Governor highlighted Nigeria’s unique ethnic and religious plurality and expressed the belief that the tribal and religious diversity of the country presents great potentials for social and economic growth and development.

He reminded Nigerians that the confluence between the Christian and Muslim religion was Ibrahim, the patriarch known to Christians as Abraham and urged adherents of both religions to look back to the sacrifice made by father of both religions with love and honour so as to foster a more united and progressive nation.

“Eid el Kabir is a celebration of friendship, unity, love and the supremacy of God. I have always preached that the unity and survival of our dear nation Nigeria is also dependent on how much love we are all willing to share with those around us, especially the poor and vulnerable and also with those who do not share in our own religious beliefs,” the governor stated.

In Ilorin, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, congratulated Muslims, wishing all and sundry a peaceful and happy celebration.

The Governor in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, urged Muslims to imbibe the lessons of total submission and obedience to the will of Almighty Allah and promote the principle of being one another's keepers.

The governor who emphasised the need to devote oneself to the services of the supreme being and pray for the unity, peace, progress and stability of the country as we approach another period of general elections in the country, enjoined everyone to participate actively in the forthcoming elections by making sure that they obtain their PVC.

“Let’s guide against hate speech, thuggery and violence but imbibe lessons of the season and pray for a free, fair and credible election in 2019 and beyond,” the governor said.

Gov Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the people of the state for their support and prayers over the years and renewed his commitment to bequeathing a worthy legacy for his successor.

“We shall take our projects to fruition levels,” the governor said.

In Abeokuta, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, felicitated with Muslims, urging them to pray for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

He said this in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful, signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye.

The governor charged them to look beyond the merriment of the period, but focus more on praying for peace and harmony, which according to him, will ensure progress and development of the nation.

“During this festival of feast, we should ensure that we truly imbibe the virtues of Prophet Ibrahim, who, in obedience to God’s directive, sacrificed his only son.

“Beyond the sacrifice, we should also not relent in praying for peace, unity and religious tolerance, which are essential to sustaining the glory of our dear nation", the governor added.

Wishing Muslims happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the governor prayed that God will accept their supplication and sacrifices.

In his own message, the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, said the celebration yet again offered our Muslim brothers the special opportunity to reflect on their spiritual lives, pray for themselves, others and the nation at large.

He called for reflection on the ideals of good living, which all religions preach, which, according to him, abhors violence, but rather promotes peace and fraternity among men.

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