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PDP, Catholic Archbishop preach tolerance, prayers for new govt

By Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) and Chris Irekamba (Lagos)
19 June 2015   |   1:57 am
WITH the commencement of the Ramadan fast, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on Nigerians to use the holy month to reposition their hearts and rededicate to the virtues of love, peace and tolerance as epitomized in the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed.
PHOTO: islamicity.com

PHOTO: islamicity.com

WITH the commencement of the Ramadan fast, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on Nigerians to use the holy month to reposition their hearts and rededicate to the virtues of love, peace and tolerance as epitomized in the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed.

Also, felicitating with Muslims worldwide, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins and the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Dawud O. S. Noibi have urged Muslims in the country to use the occasion of the Ramadan to pray earnestly for the country’s new leadership so that God may give them the much needed wisdom, vision and political will to move Nigeria forward.

Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said “The holy month offered Nigerians a wonderful opportunity to draw from God, regenerate their souls while making room in their hearts for forgiveness, unity and peaceful co-existence upon which the nation is built.”

“The party observed that though Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, it can only realise its full potential if the citizens jettison all forms of bitterness, division and violence and work together in love as one people,” said Secondus.

Stressing that the holy month presents Nigerians the occasion to pursue the will of the Almighty Allah to live together in peace, the PDP cited Chapter 3 verse 103 of the Holy Koran, which states; “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren…”

It also called on those behind the insurgency ravaging parts of the country to use the Ramadan as a turning point to retrace their steps, return to God, quit the live of violence and live in peace with other citizens.

Martins, who spoke through his Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, said, “There is no doubt that our country is going through very hard times. But there are still many reasons to thank God.

And so I urge you my brothers and sisters to pray for the continuous peace and unity of this country because without peace there can be no progress. We also need to pray for our leaders that God would grant them the requisite wisdom to lead us on the right part. We should reflect on the love of God for humanity, and the need for all to live in peace irrespective of creed or religious differences.

He equally called on them to join hands with government to put a lasting end to insecurity in the land, particularly in the North East region of the country,” he said. While enjoining Muslims to join hands and intercede for the country, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Dawud O. S. Noibi said: “Now that we have a new government, it is expected that we put the nation on the path of rectitude.

Ramadan, therefore, is one in which we should all pray hard for the government and for the whole nation. We should all use the period to rededicate ourselves to help the nation to overcome the challenges that we are facing as a nation.”

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