Governors preach peaceful co-existence, empathy with less-privileged

Ambode, Mimiko, Bello, Fayose congratulate Muslims

Governors yesterday sent congratulatory messages to Muslim faithful all over the country over their successful conclusion of the one-month Ramadan fast.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said that the nation needs brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among her citizens above all other things as a means to overcome its numerous challenges.

Governor Ambode also expressed appreciation to Lagos residents for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diverse ethnic origin and religion.

“With your demonstration of love for your neighbour and the willingness to serve, our State has continued to be a model of what patriotic Nigerians will want our dear country to be.

To Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Ramadan is a sacrifice whereby the Moslem faithful submit to Allah’s will and pray for peace around the world.

“We owe the world peace, progress and prosperity. As we made sacrifices during the Ramadan, we should continue to pray for peace around the world because Islam is a religion of peace.”

The statement also urged Nigerians to support the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, as every religion abhors corruption and oppression of the poor and the vulnerable segment of the society. ‘The world is looking up to Nigeria to see how it prosecutes the anti-graft war”.

For Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, the well to do in the country need to empathise with the poor and remember them in their policies and actions, as everybody will one day give account of their stewardship to their Creator.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the governor said, “with the hardship that Nigerians are currently going through, this is not the period to turn a deaf ear to their crying for the amelioration of their situation.

“We must truly be our brother’s keeper and those in positions of authority must not be impervious to ideas, suggestions and advice on how to move the country forward, even if they come from one’s worst political enemy. When such an advice is given, sheave it and if it is good make use of it and if not throw it away. There is no need to crucify the giver of the advice,” he said.

According to Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko Muslims in the country should maintain the tempo of their supplications to God during the Ramadan period, stressing that the country still remain in dire need of prayers more than ever before to surmount her numerous challenges.

Mimiko said the solutions to the challenges confronting the nation are readily available “and are there for us to apply only if we can take up the courage to do the needful.”

The Ondo State governor maintained that love, tolerance and peace are Islamic virtues that true Muslims should not compromise, positing that imbibing these habits permanently would go a long way in making the country a better one for all to co-habit.