Eid-el-Maulud: Tinubu greets Muslims as IGP orders security beef-up

•PDP demands review of anti-people policies
•Speaker, governors urge prayers, preach peace, love

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian Muslims on this year’s commemoration of the Maulud Nabiy, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)).

Tinubu, in a statement, yesterday, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Muslims to use the period for deep reflection and remembrance of the prophet’s exemplary conduct and noble teachings.

He also urged them to dedicate the Maulud holiday to praying for the country and showing empathy and compassion to one another.

“As we mark the Maulud, we should all reflect on the life lived by Prophet Muhammad, exemplified by purity, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion. We must endeavour to imbibe those virtues,” he stated.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has assured Nigerians of a peaceful and secure atmosphere during the celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to reassess all policies that negatively affect the people and focus more on citizens’ welfare.

On their part, the Speaker, House of Representatives and governors of Kogi, Oyo, Bauchi, Benue, Enugu and Niger states have called for prayers, while preaching peace during the celebration.

Egbetokun said Command Commissioners of Police and their respective Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General (AIG) of Police had been directed to implement robust security measures, including increased patrols on major highways, enhanced security at places of worship, and monitoring of public gathering points to ensure the safety of everyone.

In a statement, yesterday, by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had strategically deployed personnel and resources nationwide to prevent potential security threats during the festivities.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, urged the Federal Government to address wasteful spending, tackle corruption and focus resources on projects that directly benefit Nigerians.

The statement reads, “The PDP celebrates with Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah, on the occasion of the Eid-el Maulud, charging them to strengthen their resolve for a national rebirth to overcome the biting economic hardship and worsening insecurity fuelled by the anti-people policies of the APC administration.”

Lamenting that most Nigerians cannot afford to celebrate with their loved ones on an occasion as significant as the Eid-el-Maulud, the PDP counsels leaders whose decisions and policies inflict hardship and pain on citizens to use this occasion for deep introspection.

“For the umpteenth time, the PDP demands that the Federal Government immediately reviews all life-discounting and suffocating policies, particularly the increase in the pump price of petroleum products, hike in taxes, tariffs and other anti-people policies which have a consequential asphyxiating effect on the lives of Nigerians.

“It charges the Federal Government to end profligacy, curb corruption, be more sensitive in prioritising the need of the citizens by channelling resources to projects and programmes that have a direct bearing on the welfare of Nigerians.”

The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, called on Muslims to pray for Nigeria, its political, religious and traditional leaders, as “the country needs divine intervention in its affairs at this critical stage of national life.”

Noted that Muhammad was an embodiment of peace and unity, he urged Muslims to imbibe his teachings of godliness, obedience to authorities, and sacrifice.

Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi said, “The day is not just historic in the Islamic world, but also in the global calendar of iconic dates.”

In a statement, yesterday, Ododo noted the celebration as the birth of a man whose exemplary life and faith led billions to piety over many centuries and whose teachings continue to inspire the world to place great value on peace, compassion and justice, creating a well of humanity.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, in a statement, yesterday, congratulated all Muslims and urged them to pray for the state, Nigeria and the leadership at both levels.

According to him, the Mawlid, always celebrated on the 12th day of the third month of the Islamic Calendar, is an important festival for Muslims and should be used as another avenue to seek the face of Allah over the state of affairs in the country.

Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed, in his goodwill message, tasked the Muslim faithful to imbibe the teachings of the prophet.

Mohammed, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mukhtar Gidado, noted: “It is to the glory of Allah that we are alive to witness this year’s Eid-el-Maulud when we commemorate the birth of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

“As we celebrate the Eid-el-Maulud, we should remember that the Holy Prophet had, during his lifetime, preached peace, honesty, patience, generosity, humility, sincerity, love for one another and fear of God. People, irrespective of their religious inclinations, are enjoined to imbibe and practise these virtues.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue charged the Muslim faithful to support and pray for the APC-led Federal Government.

Alia, who gave his goodwill message through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Tersoo Kula, assured that his administration would continue to do everything possible to deliver on its campaign promises.

The Catholic priest-turned-governor, who described the celebration as a significant day, urged Muslims to reflect on the Prophet’s life of kindness, compassion and his role as a spiritual guide.

He charged them to always engage in dialogue to promote the unity and growth of the state and country.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu called for peaceful co-existence, unity and love to move the nation forward.

Mbah said it was only by doing so that Nigeria would realise her full potential and greatness.

He said, “In times like these especially, it behoves us as Nigerians to be our brother’s keeper and join our hands in faith to wade through the present challenges confronting us as a nation. Indeed, it is only by doing so that we can move our country forward on the path of peace and prosperity to realise its full greatness.”

Niger governor, Mohammed Bago, called on Muslim Ummah to daily reflect deeply on the life of Prophet Muhammad.

In a statement, yesterday, he enjoined adherents of Islam to continue to be peaceful as Muhammad lived a life worthy of emulation.

He pointed out that love, perseverance, sacrifice, tolerance and humility, among other virtues he portrayed, distinguished him from other prophets.