President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to preserve their endurance, resilience and continue to protect the integrity of government and leadership. He gave the charge in an Eid message yesterday in Lagos.
   
In the same vein, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs, Brigadier General, Aliyu Yusuf Emekoma, urged Muslims to imbibe the lessons of self-restraint, discipline, sharing, mutual support, love and prayers. He implored the citizenry to expect a better country people after Ramadan.  
THIS is even as the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, charged Nigerians “to support our leaders from the lowest to the topmost at this crucial juncture of our democracy.”
   
Addressing journalists in Daura, shortly after observing the Eid prayer yesterday, the ex-leader congratulated fellow Muslims on the successful completion of the 30-day Ramadan fast.
   
He said: “Support for our leaders is a vote for a better tomorrow. “It is imperative that we stand united in safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation.”
    
Buhari urged contestants in last year’s general elections to stop overheating the polity. A statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, quoted him advising politicians “ to always ensure a smooth succession from one administration to another without stoking communal tensions and obstructing development, irrespective of political party affiliation.”
   
He appreciated the people of Daura, his hometown, and Katsina State for giving him a warm welcome as indicated by the massive crowd at the Eid prayer ground.
   
Buhari expressed his happiness at being in the midst of his people after completing his eight-year tenure as President.

ALSO, the Northern Senators Forum has extended Sallah greetings to Muslim brothers and sisters at home and abroad. Chairman of the forum, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, in a statement, yesterday, prayed to Allah to accept their acts of worship and safeguard Nigeria. He said: “As we bask in the blessings of this sacred occasion, we pray that Allah (SWT) has accepted our acts of worship.
   
“Let us persist in our endeavours to foster a peaceful and cohesive society that cherishes the principles of liberty, human dignity and prosperity for all.

  
 “It is incumbent upon us collectively to offer prayers for our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of our nation at every echelon, as we strive to enhance our national fortunes and uplift the standard of living for all Nigerians.
  
The chairman congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, Muslim organisations and the faithful on observing a month of Ramadan devoted to peace and spirituality, culminating in the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
   
He continued: “As we transition from the holy month of Ramadan, let us embody the virtues that we have cultivated during this period. Let us emulate the spirit of brotherhood, extend individual and communal support, contribute to nation-building, offer prayers for the welfare of our country and its leadership, abide by the laws of the land, and uphold exemplary conduct and the overarching values of Ramadan.
   
“Furthermore, let us be reminded of our collective obligation to combat injustice, immorality, unfairness, corruption and inequality. 
   
“Let us champion justice, patriotism and dignity in all our pursuits. Remember, no situation lasts forever, and by fulfilling our respective roles effectively, we can propel our nation towards a brighter future.”

SIMILARLY, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, yesterday, in a goodwill message noted:  “Ramadan, I strongly believe, has again reminded us about the essence of forgiving others, ministering of compassion to the less-privileged, respect for human dignity, promoting peaceful co-existence and upholding propriety and piety in all facets of life, which we must all embrace irrespective of our ethnic and religious leanings.”

“These lessons are not meant for the period of Ramadan fasting only. Also, they are indeed principles and values, that should always guide and shape the life of every Nigerian, the quest of all businesses and conglomerates, the timeless task of building our fatherland as well as the decisions of government at all levels.
   
“Now that Ramadan has come to an end, these lessons should reflect in the way we support our governments to resolve the myriad of internal challenges that we have collectively as a federation. It should reflect in the way we intercede for this federation to sustain the gains of economic stability and political cohesion that we have started experiencing in recent times. It should also reflect in our approaches to conducting businesses; running government at all levels and discharging civic responsibilities daily.”