Jonathan, Govs, Lawmakers, Others Harp On Unity As Nigerians Celebrate Eid-el-Kabir

President Goodluck Jonathan, state governors, lawmakers and other eminent Nigerians, yesterday, called on Nigerians to make the needed sacrifices and work for the unity and progress of the nation as Muslims celebrate this year's Eid-el-Kabir.

President Jonathan in his message said, "I extend warm greetings and felicitations to you all as we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. I also congratulate Nigerians who have been able to undertake the Hajj this year in fulfillment of their religious obligations. As they undergo the rites of the Hajj in the Holy Land, and celebrate the Feast of Sacrifice here at home, I urge our Islamic faithful to offer special prayers for peace, harmony, unity, security and progress in our fatherland. I also implore them, as always, to find time in the midst of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations to meditate on the immense benefits our nation can derive from a greater exhibition by its people of piety, honesty, selflessness, tolerance, peaceful co-existence with others, equity, fairness and justice for all, which are an integral part of the message of the Holy Prophet."

He said: "My administration will continue to promote and encourage the teaching of these commendable virtues of Islam and other religious beliefs in the knowledge that a greater manifestation of such virtues and ideals by our people will stand our country in very good stead as we strive to overcome the challenges of development and build a great nation.

"We will also remain very proactive in taking actions deemed necessary for the restoration and sustenance of peace and security in all parts of our country. Work for unity, progress of Nigeria- Tambuwal The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tamuwal, urged Nigerians to redouble their efforts and work for the unity and progress of the country.

He said the occasion of the Eid el-Kabir celebration calls for repentance and forgiveness of one another, especially now that the country is facing numerous challenges. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal enjoined Nigerians to be steadfast in love to one another. He said that it is by so doing that we can be committed to what is just and right for our nation.

Tambuwal urged the Muslim faithful to intensify their prayers for peace in the country, and admonished religious leaders to lead their followers properly so that they do not depart from the truth. The Speaker assured that the National Assembly would continue to be guided by the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians in the onerous task of making laws for peace, unity and good governance of the Nation.

Tukur, Bala Mohammed call for Peace, reconciliation, sacrifice National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed in seperate messaged called for reconciliation, peaceful co-existence among ourselves as well as sacrifice to reflect on the lessons of the festival and the teachings of the doctrine of Islamic faith, which was premised on sacrifice and peace.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Prince Oliver Okpala, the PDP National Chairman called on Nigerians to "live in peace and love and eschew all forms of violence, strife, insecurity, corruption, indiscipline, disrespect for constituted authority, and all forms of criminality and social vices.

"All Nigerians must love one another and the nation. At all times, we should put the nation first before self. As we have no other nation which we can rightly call our own, it behoves us all to join hands with government to move this country forward and actualize the dreams of the founding fathers of our Nation in our life time."

The FCTA Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed who congratulated Muslim faithful, especially those resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as they mark this year's Eid-el-Kabir, specifically recalled the story of Prophet Ibrahim's attempt to sacrifice his only son, which culminated into the celebration of Eid-al-Adha to commemorate his (Ibrahim or Abraham) willingness to follow Allah's (God's) command to sacrifice his son.

Senator Mohammed who appealed for greater unity, love and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians as well as total support for the Federal Government as it strives to improve their well being, however emphasised that the occasion should be used to foster unity by making exemplified sacrifice amongst all in the spirit of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim culminating into the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.

Baraje led nPDP calls for sacrifice, prayers The Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, in its message stressed the need for Muslims across the country to pray for Nigeria, just as it called for total sacrifice from all. According to the group, "We are confident that with prayers and the needed sacrifices, Allah will show us mercy and intervene to solve our current economic and political challenges."

In a message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze yesterday, the Baraje-led PDP said, "the new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, under the leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje wishes to congratulate Nigerian Muslims and other faithful across the world on this occasion of the 2013 Eid-el-Kabir.

"However, as we celebrate Allah's benevolence, it is important for us to pause and reflect on the significance of this celebration, which highlights the need for sacrifice and the benefits thereof. Oshiomhole tasks Muslims Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State urged the Muslim Ummah to harness their thoughts and energies towards the development of the state and country.

The governor in a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, congratulated the Muslims on this year's Eid-el-Kabir. He said: "As we celebrate, I urge the Muslim Ummah and indeed all people of goodwill to remember the lessons of the celebration which is sacrifice, obedience and love. "I urge you to channel your thoughts and energies in a positive direction to help the government realize its dreams of a better state and country for us all. The Muslim community should continue to join hands with people of other faith to maintain the peace in the state, as peace is a precondition for development.

"I pray that Allah in his abiding mercy will grant journey mercies to all faithful who are in the Holy land for the Hajj. Amosun calls for total obedience to the will of Allah Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his message called on all Muslims to demonstrate at all times total obedience to the will of the almighty Allah so that they can receive bountiful reward from Him. He noted that the unconditional obedience of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son and the teachings of the Holy Qur'an offered a guidance on how the faithful could receive abundant blessings and favour from Allah. In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Senator Amosun said, "Nigeria can overcome its current challenges and attain its goal of a developed and prosperous nation if all citizens live in total obedience to the will of the Almighty." Fayemi urges Muslims to be steadfast at Eid-el-Kabir

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also urged Muslims in the state to remain steadfast in their faith in the Almighty Allah who has given them opportunity to witness another Eid-el-Kabir. The governor in a goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, also implored Muslims not to relent in their prayers for Ekiti as the state inches nearer to the 2014 governorship election.

Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji urged Muslims to use the period of Eid-el-Kabir celebration to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji urged Muslims to use this period to pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu also advised the Muslim Umah to emulate the virtues of total obedience and selflessness service as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.

Senator Ekweremadu in his Eid-al-Kabir message to the Muslim Umah said that Nigeria's major challenge was not lack of virtuous religious injunctions, state laws and regulations, but willful disobedience and poor attitude to the rule of law as a key democratic principle. l focus on service and mandate delivery among the political elites.

"The apparent preoccupation with the politics of 2015 at the expense of service is a sad commentary on our democracy and an apparent disregard for the teachings of our religious faiths which stipulate that power comes from God alone", he added. Senator Ekweremadu wished the Muslim Umah a merry and hitch-free Sallah celebration.