by Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Chibuzo Ukaibe, Tarkaa David, Abu Nmodu, Najib Sani, Adeniyi Olugbemi, Hussaini Jirgi and Abayomi Omole
Nigerians May Rise Up Against Their Leaders, Sultan Warns
As Muslim faithful in Nigeria join their counterparts globally to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-fitri, President Muhammadu Buhari; president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and other prominent Nigerians have enjoined Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, to embrace peace and tolerance among themselves.
The Sultan of Sokoto and president general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, had last night declared that today marks the Eid-el-fitri celebrations across the country.
The Sultan stated this during a nationwide live broadcast in his palace in Sokoto.
He declared that Thursday April 21, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan, signifies the end of Ramadan 2023.
A statement to this effect noted: “The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee received report from various Moon Sighting across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1444AH, on Thursday 20th April, 2023, which was the 29th day of Ramadan 1444AH.
“Therefore, today Thursday, 20st April, 2023, is the 29th day of the month of Ramadan 1444AH.”
He said the report of moon sighting was received by the committee from various part of the country by the moon sighting committee.
While urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country, Sultan Abubakar felicitates with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings.
In his Sallah message, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Muslims on successfully completing this demanding spiritual obligation.
He also said the peaceful outcome of the 2023 general elections “will go down on record as one of the proudest achievements of my administration in addition to our neutrality in the conduct of the elections.”
In a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the president explained that “the outcomes of the elections were in line with my pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections.”While praying to Allah to reward the Muslims for their sacrifices during the fasting season, President Buhari advised that “we shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society.”According to him, “abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day.”
On the 2023 polls, Buhari said, “I’m proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all.
“Free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself.”
“The elections were so transparent that even members of my own party were routed and unseated. At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone,” the president added.
On his part, the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, enjoined the citizens to live in love, compassion and sacrifice which are major demands of Allah from all Muslim Ummah.
In his goodwill message to mark this year’s Sallah celebrations at the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, Tinubu thanked Almighty Allah (SWT) for the grace to witness this year’s Eid-el-fitri celebration after the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The former Lagos State governor who pointed out that Ramadan is a sacred spiritual obligation as one of the five pillars of Islam thanked the Almighty Allah for helping Muslim Ummah to observe and went through the period of abstinence, self-discipline, self-reflection, self-purification in gratitude and total submission to His will.
He added that beyond the self-abnegation and pious living that the fasting period imposed on Muslim faithful, the just concluded spiritual exercise has also helped to improve the moral character and refine minds in pursuit of higher ideals for which there should be no turning back.
Tinubu noted: “At the heart of our faith and a major demand on all faithful is the requirement to commit ourselves to wholesome living. This entails love for one another, love for fellow humans regardless of creed, region and ethnicity, love for our communities and love for country.
“To love one another, have compassion, empathy and love our beloved country means we must become better citizens in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.”
Also yesterday, former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, called on fellow Muslims to join efforts towards building a more united Nigeria in the light of the recent unfortunate bitter divisions caused by our national politics.
In his Sallah message, he said, “Let me join other leaders in congratulating my fellow Muslims for successfully witnessing the end of this year’s Ramadan fasting period, a period that came with tough spiritual challenges that were designed to strengthen our Iman and Tawheed.
“During this period of self-discipline, we had seen the importance of the abstention from all sinful acts that are in the overall interest of our spiritual life and happiness. God teaches us to eschew evils because it’s for our own ultimate good.
“One of the greatest blessings of Ramadan is that it helps us to get closer to our Creator, strengthen our faith, and promote charity or the spirit of giving to the weak and poor. It is important that we continue to live with the spirit of love, peace and harmony which Ramadan requires.
“It is equally important that we remember our country as we pray at our respective Eid prayer grounds. We must pray for God to enlarge His mercies and blessings upon the country.”
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, charged Nigerians in the spirit of Ramadan to remain focused on peace and rule of law in the country and refuse to be distracted.
Obi, in a Sallah message to Muslims in the country on the occasion of the celebration of this year’s Eid il fitr, noted that the Holy Month of Ramadan was for all to practice restraint, decorum, and humility; it also enjoined all faithful to be fair and just in all dealings; to help the needy and heal the ailing; to also promote mutual understanding and peace within communities.
These injunctions, Obi noted, promote the values of universal social justice, world peace, and human progress.
The LP flag bearer said that Nigeria, the only nation we have as our own, is going through uncertainties relating to insecurity, deprivation, unemployment, and most recently, divisive flawed elections arising from the activities of fringe elements, who do not respect the rule of law and the wishes of our people.
The secretary to government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on behalf of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, as well as the celebration of Eid el-Fitr.
In a statement by the director information in his office, Willy Bassey, he urged them to use the period of the celebration to continue to reflect on the purpose and lessons of the Ramadan, including love, charity, endurance, tolerance and sacrifice, in adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) for spiritual rejuvenation and sustainable national growth and development.
Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also enjoined Muslims in the state to sustain the momentum of supplication, devotion and prayers for the peace, development and prosperity of the State and Nigeria as a whole.
The governor who made the call in his Sallah goodwill message described Eid-el-Fitr as a period of sober reflection.
He charged the Muslim faithful to replicate in their daily lives, the lessons learnt in the holy month of Ramadan.
“As we celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr festival, I wish to admonish us to learn from the good lessons of Ramadan which connotes piety, obedience, and selflessness. We must all imbibe the tenets of Islam which promote peace, tolerance, modesty and love”, he said.
Governor Inuwa tasked citizens not to lose sight in the face of current socio-economic challenges in the country but to remain resolute and prayerful, saying with faith, the nation’s trying moments will be over and Nigeria will emerge stronger and more united.
He urged the people to continue to cherish the relative peace and harmony enjoyed in the state, calling on the clerics and traditional rulers to continue to preach the gospel of unity and tolerance among the diverse people for peace and growth of Gombe State and the country at large, describing peace as a catalyst for socio-economic development of any society.
Niger State governor and chairman of North Central States Governors’ Forum (NCSGF), Abubakar Sani Bello enjoined Muslims to sustain the ideals of the month of Ramadan beyond the Ramadan period.
The governor, in a statement, urged Muslims to remain steadfast in the worship of Allah and to follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as they did during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Sani Bello tasked Muslims to continue to uphold the ideals of piety, patience, tolerance, perseverance, humility, and self-denial which were observed vigorously during the month of Ramadan.
The governor said the Eid-el-Fitr celebration should be seen by all as another opportunity to remain devoted and submissive to the will of the Almighty Allah.
Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah, and the people of Yobe state on the Eid-el-fitr Sallah celebration marking the end of the one month Ramadan fasting.
The governor also congratulated Muslims who were privileged to perform the lesser Hajj (Ummrah) in Saudi Arabia and wish them safe return to Nigeria.
He prayed Allah (SWT) to reward everyone for the Ramadan fasting and forgive their shortcomings.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, tasked Nigerians with peaceful coexistence, national integration and sticking to the lessons of Ramadan which proffers solutions to some of the problems facing the country today.
Bello made the call in a statement by his chief press secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, yesterday in Lokoja, stating that the teachings of Ramadan were centered on humanity, kindness, peace and love.
The governor also urged all Muslims to ensure that the lessons they had learnt during the Ramadan season and their act of devotion remained a consistent way of life even after the 29 days exercise.
Bello said Ramadan was a season of several teachings that centered on humanity, kindness, peace and love hence if these lessons were imbibed many of the problems in the country would reduce.
The chairman of the Northern Speaker’s Forum and Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Hon Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, felicitated with Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, calling on them to pray for outgoing and incoming President and Governors.
Zailani in a statement signed by the SA Media and Publicity Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani in Abuja said it was necessary “to pray for our leaders, our country, and for peace to reign in our communities”.
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