Gombe governor Dankwambo canvasses joint efforts to tackle nation’s challenges

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has called for sober reflection by political leaders to deliver the country from its many challenges.In his Salah message yesterday, the governor expressed optimism that with sacrifice, the nation would no doubt be on the path of unity, peace and progress.He noted that lately Nigerians were faced with harsh experiences, hence the need for thorough cogitation.

Lamenting “poverty in the midst of so much blessings” in the country, said religious intolerance, ethnic bigotry, crime, corruption and the flight of conscience were fast becoming a Nigerian signature in different forms. Dankwambo, however, said if the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir were imbibed, Nigeria would be out of its challenges.

He said: “The history of today’s Eid, indeed, is instructive as an occasion when Almighty Allah showed his infinite mercy and kindness to us all by producing a ram to be sacrificed, instead of a human being. None of us must trifle with the story of how Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) had promised to sacrifice his only son and how, at the point of sacrifice, God caused a substitution with a ram.

“Eid-el-Adha, another name for today’s celebration, should remind us that sacrifice in the form of genuine service is our only way to redemption. God’s favour will only come to us when we make individual and collective sacrifices to serve our people.

“Prosperity, peace and progress will be the portion of Nigerians when we make sacrifices for our nation. God’s mercy will attend unto us only when we are unceasing in sacrifice.

“Today should, therefore, be a wake-up call to all Nigerians that Almighty Allah will shower His mercies and blessings on us if only we would obey Him and serve in truth and in deed.”He urged leaders at any level to use this occasion to attune their minds to the fear of God and love of the people in whose trust they hold their various offices.

“We must constantly remind ourselves that our joy as leaders and the joy of our people can only be guaranteed at the point of sacrifice.”Meanwhile, the senator representing Lagos East on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gbenga Ashafa, has urged Muslims across the country to pray for Nigerians in crisis zones across the country.