Leaders preach sacrifice, love at Eid el Fitri

Urge prayers for Buhari, sue for selflessness, tolerance

As is customary, messages of goodwill from political leaders yesterday went out to the Muslim faithful after completing the one-month Ramadan fast.

Senate President Bukola Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful in the face of the daunting socio-economic challenges.

He said that the present challenges were surmountable “if we all realign our character and deeds in tune with the wishes of Allah.”

He stated that the country could only regain its lost glory when the citizenry upheld the virtues of good neighbourliness and eschewed intolerance of other people’s opinion, corruption, abuse of power, disregard for due process and disobedience to the laws of the land.

“I also urge Boko Haram insurgents and other agents of destabilisation across the country to retrace their steps and give peace a chance in the spirit of the Eid-el-Fitri,” Saraki said.

“Similarly, let us all refrain from using violence to express our stand on issues. Violence only destroy, it does not build. Let us also shun greed and other vices capable of undermining the socio-political growth of our dear nation.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara urged Muslims to use the period of Eid- el- Fitri to pray for Nigeria to overcome its present challenges.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja yesterday, Dogara charged Muslims to allow the lessons of humility, sacrifice, love and selfless service garnered during the 30-day fast to guide their lives and activities.

“May I use this opportunity to urge the faithful to use the occasion to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and continue to imbibe its teachings which are primarily premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality,” he admonished.

The Speaker also called for prayers for the success of the country’s leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari for God to continue to guide, protect and give him the wisdom to steer the affairs of the state and actualise the change agenda.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the lessons of the Holy month should be taken beyond the celebration through the spirit of tolerance and commitment to peaceful co-existence in their everyday conducts.

He explained that abstention from eating and drinking “is an important reminder to the Muslim faithful that there are millions of others who go without food daily on account of their poverty.”

Atiku also advised Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to continue to show patience with Buhari’s administration, which he said was aware of hardships they were passing through, adding that their support for the government would ultimately yield dividends.

He said Buhari should be commended for the courageous measures he has taken to ensure that public funds meant for the welfare of the people and development of the country are not diverted to private pockets of individuals.

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan, stating that no nation has progressed and survived the worst of times without prayers.

He urged all the faithful not to relent in prayers for Nigeria’s leaders and the country itself.

According to Tinubu, Ramadan apart from providing a period of self-examination and deep reflection has become a necessary tonic for both religious commitment and nationalistic revitalisation.

“Nigeria is on a journey that cannot be aborted but supported because therein lies our future and the future of our youth and children,” Tinubu added.