Saraki, Mark greet Nigerians on Eid-el-Fitri

SENATE President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and their counterparts across the world on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and celebration of Eid-el-Fitri.

Speaking through his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki also urged Muslims to pray for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

Saraki in the Sallah message also reminded Muslims that praying for leaders and the nation for divine guidance is one of the injunctions of Allah that formed the basis of sermons delivered in various mosques during the holy month.

He said: “At this point in our national life, unity among all the different ethnic and religious groups will usher in peace, and peace can only engender progress and development. We therefore need to learn to live together in peace, tolerate one another and eschew actions, which can threaten the peace of the nation.”

The Senate President also yesterday canvassed the institutionalisation of Zakat (alms giving) by Muslim faithful in Nigeria, saying the obligatory charity ‎will go a long way in drastically reducing poverty rate in the country.

He spoke in Abeokuta during a public lecture organised, by the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State to mark its 4th Annual Ramadan Lecture.

Also, former Senate President, David Mark, has called for prayers in the war against insurgency in the country.

Senator Mark in a message to Muslim faithful to commemorate Eid- el-Fitri called on all men of goodwill to rise to the challenge posed by the unending terrorism being orchestrated by Boko Haram insurgents.

Senator Mark bemoaned the agonies being unleashed on Nigerians, especially in the North East region, which has led to millions of avoidable deaths, made people refugees in their fatherland and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.