President at Eid-el-Fitri preaches tolerance, love

• Acknowledges rough times facing Nigerians
• Turkish president felicitates with Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for Muslim Ummah to imbibe the virtues of piety, love and sacrifice.

In a message to mark Eid-el-Fitri and the end of this year’s Ramadan fast, the President also urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and follow the spiritual essence of the fast which symbolised self-denial.

In a related development, Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has felicitated with Muslims in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Fitr.

Congratulating Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of this month-long fasting, prayer and almsgiving, Buhari said: “I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future.

“On this happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues of piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationship with one another.

“As we celebrate another Eid El Fitri, I admonish all patriotic Nigerians to uphold these lessons and also appreciate the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed us with.

“Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings, as we forge ahead to build on our strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.’

Buhari appealed to Nigerians who had the means, to remember the millions of Nigerians who are suffering deprivation as a result of the violence perpetrated by terrorists.

Acknowledging the fact that Nigerians were going through some difficult moments, the President commended “the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges and also reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities.”

He reaffirmed that his administration would not relent in the fight against corruption and we will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deployed to root out the malaise.

The President commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North East part of the country.

He appealed for the “support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and our international partners as we explore the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region.”

He promised better days ahead “even as we remain grateful for your unflinching support to our administration.”
In a telephone conversation with his Nigerian counterpart, Buhari yesterday, the Turkish leader, whose country had recently suffered terror attack at the Atartuk Airport, rejoiced with Nigerians on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast despite whatever distractions.

Buhari had, last week, in a letter to the Turkish president, commiserated with him and the entire people of Turkey in the wake of the bombings at the Ataturk airport in Turkey.

The president had described the incident as a “horrific attack on their soil by evil forces who have nothing to do with Islam despite their warped beliefs.”