Governor charge Muslims to imbibe lessons of Ramadan

Zulum, Emir of Ilorin preach peace

Some governors have tasked Muslims to learn and imbibe lessons of the Ramadan, while others, alongside the Emir of Ilorin, preach peace. Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, in a statewide broadcast in Damaturu yesterday to mark the Eid el-Fitr, stated: “With the completion of Ramadan, I urge all of you to continue to pray for the state and the nation. The people should be guided by the lessons of peace, love, humility, sympathy and charity,” he said.

According to him, the above were preached to all Muslims during the one-month religious exercise. Also, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum urged citizens to sustain prayers against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and for the return of peace.

This is contained in the Sallah message delivered by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Wakil, after the eid prayers at Government House, Maiduguri. Similarly, Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Bagudu has admonished the Muslim Ummah to sustain the noble lessons learnt in the holy month of Ramadan, to outlive the period.

Bagudu said yesterday in his Sallah message to the residents: “These lessons include patience, perseverance, piety, philanthropy and good neighbourliness.”

However, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has felicitated with Muslims in the state on the celebration of the Eid el-Fitr, urging them to continue to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria.

Diri, in his goodwill message issued by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, also solicited their continuous prayers to stop COVID-19. Noting that the scourge affected the Sallah celebration, the governor encouraged Muslims not to despair but to keep hope alive despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

Senator Gershom Bassey (PDP, Cross River South) has urged Muslims in the state to continue to live in peace and harmony with others for the benefit of all Nigerians.

In a statement yesterday in Calabar, Bassey expressed the belief that the spiritual exercise would reposition them for greater service to God and humanity.For the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the continuous growth in the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) hinges on peace and unity. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to ceaselessly pray for economic prosperity, peace and unity across the nation.

In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Abdulazeez Arowona, the emir said he would not compromise peaceful coexistence of citizens of his domain with any myopic sentiment for as long as he remained on the throne.

Also, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged Muslims in the country to be champions of peaceful coexistence. He stated this yesterday in a goodwill and solidarity message he sent through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, to the Muslim Community in the state on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Fitr celebration.

Meanwhile, Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has reassured the people of the state of his administration’s determination to protect them against the pandemic.To realise this, he urged the people to play their roles by adhering strictly to the precautionary measures to halt the spread of the virus.

Ishaku, who stated this yesterday while rejoicing with Muslims on the Eid el-Fitr celebration, urged them not to stop praying God’s intervention over the disease.
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, Ishaku, felt perturbed that the 2020 Islamic fast came when COVID-19 was busy ravaging the world, a situation that led to the restriction of movement and other social activities.

In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; his deputy, Nasiru Gawuna; and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, yesterday joined hundreds of faithful at Kofar-Mata central eid ground to observe two rakah prayers.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zaharadeen, charged Muslims to exemplify the teachings inculcated in the last 30 days of fasting in their daily lives.

But in Ibadan, Oyo State, due to the directive by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV, most of the usually-busy praying grounds were deserted.The Garkuwa of Ibadanland and chairman of Sabo Ibadan Development and Progressive Association, Alhaji Garba Taras, said: “It was observed by individuals at their various homes. We did not go to Yidi ground because of restriction by the government occasioned by COVID-19. It is not obligatory but optional.”