Govs urge unity, tolerance, love at Sallah

Call for sober reflection, unity to tackle challenges

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has called on Muslim faithful and all Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, tolerance and harmony as advocated by the teachings of Prophet Mohammed to attain the nation’s quest for greater unity and brotherhood.

In a special message issued in Awka yesterday, Governor Obiano observed that the celebration of this year’s Eid-el Fitr offers Nigerians a chance to strengthen the bonds of national unity and build a prosperous country.

Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged Nigerian Muslims to be guided by the invaluable lessons learnt during Ramadan, as this would greatly mould their lives in the right path prescribed by Almighty Allah.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Governor Oshiomhole said the messages of love, perseverance, self-denial, almsgiving and others learnt during the holy month of Ramadan should not be discarded but should be applied daily by the Muslims in total obedience to the injunctions of Almighty Allah.

He said: “While I congratulate the Muslim faithful for the successful completion of the Ramadan, I urge them to sustain the spirit of godliness, charity, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation which were some of the lessons learnt during the Holy Month.”

In the same vein, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State and his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, have urged the Muslim faithful to maximise the spiritual benefits derived from Ramadan, which are love, peace and justice for the development of the country.

Governor Ishaku said: “Once we demonstrate self-denial, sacrifice, and being our brother’s keeper, the peace that we desire to ensure an environment conducive for sustainable growth and development shall prevail.

He urged the people to eschew acts capable of jeopardising the peace of the state.

Governor Ortom, who enjoined the people of the state to embrace dialogue in addressing matters affecting them and resist the temptation of taking the law into their hands, urged everyone to assist security agencies to guarantee the safety of lives and property in all parts of the state.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has wished Islam adherents across the country a joyous and crisis-free festival of fast-breaking, otherwise known as Eid-el-Fitr, following the completion of the month-long Ramadan.

A statement on his behalf by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, urged Muslims to be modest in their celebrations and to be on their guard against terrorists who might want to wreak havoc during the celebration.

Ajimobi said: “Let me on this occasion congratulate my Muslim brothers and sisters on the successful completion of the Ramadan. It is my hope that the mandatory yearly religious obligation will renew our strength and faith in Allah.

The governor expressed the belief that with the dedication and commitment of the Muslim community to the Ramadan as one of the pillars of Islam, the country would soon witness a socio-economic rebirth and peace.