• President hails economic reforms, vows to end terrorism 
• Yilwatda, Kalu urge support for reforms

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the economic reforms undertaken by his administration are beginning to yield positive results, declaring that the country has emerged from difficult times and is now on the path to sustained growth and stability.
  
In his 2026 Eid-el-Kabir message yesterday, the President assured affected communities that the government remained committed to defeating terrorists and bandits threatening national peace and stability.
  
Also, his wife, Oluremi, called on Nigerians to uphold the values of sacrifice, compassion, and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country.
  
While the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, called on Muslim communities across the country to support Tinubu’s reforms, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North) appealed to citizens to remain patient as the policies bear fruit.
  
The President, the message, congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the celebration, urging citizens to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, compassion, unity and selflessness exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
  
Tinubu said the administration’s reform agenda, though challenging, was necessary to reposition the country for prosperity and long-term development.
  
According to him, the sacrifices made by Nigerians over the past three years contributed to a more stable economy and enhanced Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination capable of driving job creation and economic growth.
  
“The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here,” the President stated, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms would continue to deliver improved security and greater opportunities for citizens across the country.
   
The President also acknowledged persistent security challenges in parts of the country, despite recent gains recorded by security agencies, including the elimination of a wanted Islamic State leader.
  
“I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil,” he said, while calling on Muslims to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir to pray for Nigeria, peace in communities and wisdom for leaders, while also urging Nigerians to support the less privileged and strengthen national unity.

IN her Eid-el-Kabir message, the wife of the president extended warm greetings to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and the diaspora, describing the festival as a period for deep reflection on faith, obedience and selflessness.
  
She urged Nigerians to live in harmony and strengthen the bonds of unity and mutual respect needed to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
  
Tinubu also encouraged citizens to remember the less privileged during the celebrations by extending acts of kindness and generosity to vulnerable members of society.
  
“Eid el-Kabir is a special time for reflection on the enduring values of sacrifice, obedience, faith, and compassion,” she said. “Our strength as a nation lies in our unity, mutual respect and shared commitment to building a society where love and understanding prevail.”

KALU, in his message released yesterday, urged citizens not to lose faith in the country despite the prevailing economic hardship, stressing that the reforms were aimed at rebuilding the economy and securing a more stable future for Nigerians.
  
The former Senate Chief Whip said that the policies introduced by the Federal Government may be difficult in the short term, but insisted they were designed in the overall interest of the nation.
   
“The reforms may be painful today, but they are for good reasons and in the overall interest of Nigerians. I appeal to citizens to remain patient and supportive of the government as efforts are being made to rebuild the economy and secure a better future for all,” he said.
  
The former governor of Abia State used the occasion of the Sallah celebration to preach national unity, peace and religious tolerance, warning against divisive tendencies capable of undermining the country’s stability.
  
Kalu expressed optimism that with unity, resilience and collective sacrifice, Nigeria would overcome its current economic difficulties and emerge stronger.

YILWATDA noted that Eid al-Kabir remains one of the most significant celebrations in Islam, symbolising the virtues of selflessness, unity, compassion, tolerance and total submission to the will of God, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
  
The APC National Chairman, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, stated that the spiritual lessons of the celebration were highly relevant to Nigeria at this critical stage of national development. 
  
He urged Nigerians, particularly the Muslim Ummah, to continue to promote peaceful coexistence, national unity and harmony across ethnic, religious and political lines, adding that the Sallah celebration should further strengthen the bonds of love, understanding and brotherhood among citizens.