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President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message of greetings to Nigerian Muslims and Christians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr, urging all citizens to resolve to live in peace and avoid making reckless statements.
Similarly, former Vice President and APC Chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, Kogi State Governor Bello and former governor of Ogun state, Gbenga Daniel in separate statements, all called on Nigerians to demonstrate a greater spirit of tolerance and firmer commitment to peaceful coexistence as prerequisite for unity and love in Nigeria.
President Buhari, in a statement signed by Malam Garba Shehu, his senior special assistant media and publicity, said:
"I am immensely grateful to God for his mercy in guiding us successfully to conclude another Ramadan fast. My greetings to all Nigerian Muslims and our brother Christians on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
"May the lessons of Ramadan, namely, piety, self-denial, prayers and generosity to the poor and needy be with us for all time.
While wishing all a Happy Eid-el-Fitr, President Buhari appealed to all to shun reckless statements and actions that negatively affects the unity of the country.
Said he, "I, again, appeal to all Nigerians to avoid reckless statements or actions against our fellow countrymen. We should all resolve to live in peace and unity in our great country, which is the envy of many less endowed nations.
Also in his Eid-el-Fitr message to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period, Atiku urges Muslims to imbibe the lessons of the fast, which include: self discipline and sacrifice through abstention from eating, drinking and sinful acts.
Atiku reiterated that “Abstention from eating and drinking should go a long way to create empathy from the rich towards the poor, making the well to appreciate the conditions of millions, who go hungry because of poverty.”
The Waziri Adamawa further urged well-to-do Muslims to identify with ordinary Nigerians who go without food almost every day, and to be more concerned about what to do to improve their plight.
He urged all Muslims to extend the lessons of the fasting period beyond the Ramadan.
Speaking on Nigeria's current challenges, the former Vice President called on his fellow Muslims to be good ambassadors of Islam by demonstrating the spirit of tolerance, love, respect for others and firmer commitment to peaceful coexistence.
According to him, Nigeria’s diversity should be translated into love, and religion should be a vehicle for cementing love and harmony amongst the people.
"The greatest tribute Muslims can pay to the Prophet Muhammad is to live by his example of a pacifist spirit and tolerance,” Atiku says, stressing, “These are the tools with which to strengthen the pillars of Nigeria's unity. There is no religion in the world that doesn't preach love, but practice has far greater impact on perception than precept.”
He also commended Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), for giving a good account of himself in running affairs of the country, while we all continue to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
”Professor Osinbajo has demonstrated strong leadership by moving fast to nip the recent tension in the country in the bud, which arose from the quit notice issued on the Igbos by a Coalition of Northern Youth group and the counter notices from groups from other regions,” Atiku says.
"By moving quickly to invite chief executives of the 36 states, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other leaders of thought across the country, the Acting President has proved himself to be a very sensitive leader, who demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness at a point the country's unity was being ominously threatened."
He adds that Professor Osinbajo’s prompt response to the situation had earned him the respect of many Nigerians, adding that Nigeria cannot afford to toy with its unity when the rest of Africa envies its resilience.
In his Sallah message to the people of Kogi State, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said the virtues of Islam must continue to guide Muslims in all their dealings with each other and those of other faith.
He thanked everyone who said a prayer for the state and the nation in general, saying they would reap the full benefits of their belief in God.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, also in a goodwill message signed by his Media Officer, Ayo Giwa, said; “Muslims should be guided by the spirit of the period of total abstinence, keeping away from vices in all ramifications and imbibing the teachings and pious lifestyles of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.”
Daniel also urged Muslim faithful in the country to uphold the lessons of the Holy Month by avoiding all sinful acts that were abhorred and not allow them to become part of their lives after Ramadan.
The celebration of Eid-el-Fitri, he stated, goes beyond merry making but rather, a period of total submission to the will of Allah as demonstrated during the fasting period.
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