… as Okowa preaches peace, unity, love
… Amosun urges self-discipline, patriotism
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has tasked muslims to continue to make supplication to Allah to heal the nation of all its ills and reward it with favour, peace and progress.
His Delta State counterpart, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, calls on muslims across the country and Nigerians in general, to use the occasion of Ed-el-Fitr celebration to imbibe the culture of peace, unity and love among one another.
Also in Abeokuta, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State urges Nigerians, particularly muslim Ummah to sustain self-denial, self-discipline, brotherliness and patriotism, which muslims showed during the Holy month of Ramadan for the peace and socio-economic development of the country.
BusinessDay reports that they also urged Nigerian muslims to abide by the tenet of peace and abhor violence preaching as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitri (breaking of fast).
Oshiomhole said “we remember, as always, our country this season and I enjoin the faithful to continue to make supplications to Allah to heal our land of all ills and favour us with peace and progress.”
Oshiomhole, who urged the muslims to exhibit the true spirit of peace and love in their daily dealings with men of all faith, noted that the success of this year’s Ramadan fast should be translated to positive impact on their neighbours and the larger society.
He made the statement in his congratulatory message to end this year Ramadan fast as well as the marking of Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
“I rejoice with the Muslim Ummah as it has pleased Almighty Allah to see us through the Holy month of Ramadan. Having observed strictly the injunctions of Almighty Allah by self-denial through fasting and prayers, and by offering Zakat to the less-privileged, I urge the faithful not to forget the lessons learnt, to wit, the spirit of piety, alms-giving, of compassion and love for fellow men.
Okowa, in a statement signed by Aniagwu Ehiedu, his chief Press secretary, urged muslims in the state to adhere strictly to the teachings of the great prophet of Islam, Mohammad, and to sustain the ideals of the month of Ramadan beyond the period.
“Islam is indeed a religion of peace, and the true essence of the religion is to unite the entire mankind in love and harmony,” Okowa said, adding that “we must all continue to pray and work hard towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.”
While calling on Nigerians to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his determination to build a peaceful, united and virile nation, he however urged Deltans, both at home and abroad, to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the state to ensure the smooth implementation of the SMART agenda programme in the state.
Amosun, who spoke through a press statement signed and issued in Abeokuta by Taiwo Adeoluwa, secretary to the state government, said “Nigeria will overcome its current challenges and emerge a strong, united and prosperous nation if good virtues and attributes displayed during Ramadan were sustained beyond the Holy month.
“The attributes of self-discipline, compassion, brotherliness and patriotism exhibited during the Holy month of Ramadan, if sustained, will bring within our reach and attainment the dreams of our founding fathers for a united and prosperous nation.”
He called on muslims to be in the vanguard of the campaign for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians and respect for the sanctity of life, noting that “Islam is a religion of peace.”
