A delegation from the Kwara State Government on Sunday joined the Muslim community to observe prayers marking the end of the Ramadan fast, amid prayers for the state and the country.
Held at the Ilorin Central Praying Ground, the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Solihu.
“We urge all Kwarans and Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan in the intervening months. We should be our brothers’ keepers, be peaceful in our conduct, and pray for the peace and stability of Kwara State and Nigeria at large,” said the leader of the government delegation, Majority Leader of the Kwara House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, speaking to reporters after the prayers.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who usually leads the delegation, was away in Saudi Arabia performing the Lesser Hajj.
Magaji called for continued support from Nigerians for the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq, stating: “With your support, Mr President and the Governor are going to lead us to the promised land.”
The prayer was attended by the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the State Traditional Council, Mai-Martaba Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Also present at the Eid prayers were senior government officials; Khalifatul Adaby Sheikh AbdulQodir Muhammad Kamaludeen; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council for the Kwara State University of Education (KWSUED), Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem; retired Justice Idris Haroon; APC Chieftain Alhaji Yahya Seriki; Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government Area, Abdulhameed Nuhu Podo; his counterpart in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Shehu Abdulrahman Ladan; Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Hon. Lateef Gidado Alakawa; and Dr AbdulRazaq Funsho, among other dignitaries.
The Emir congratulated all sons and daughters of the Emirate and the people of the state on the successful completion of fasting and a peaceful Eid.
He prayed for the safe return of Governor AbdulRazaq from the holy land and commended the administration’s significant achievements and commitment to peace.
The Emir of Ilorin emphasised the need for Muslims worldwide to unite and act in unison.
He also urged Muslim clerics to act only in accordance with the dictates of the Holy Qur’an and the sayings and deeds (Hadith) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
The monarch further encouraged his subjects to embrace unity among themselves and continue to live harmoniously with adherents of other faiths.
In his Eid-ul-Fitr message, Governor AbdulRazaq urged Muslims to continue assisting vulnerable and impoverished members of society, as they did during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor extended his felicitations to the Muslim community on Eid-ul-Fitr 1446 AH, praying to Allah to grant every fasting believer the full rewards of their spiritual exertion during the month.
“The Governor joins the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the entire Muslim community in thanking Allah for the completion of Ramadan and the dawn of Shawwal, the 10th month, which ushers in festivity.
“As we bid farewell to the honoured month of Ramadan, I call on our brethren not to relent in all aspects of ibaadah (worship), in giving alms to the poor, or in refraining from actions and inactions that lessen our standing as believers or as good members of the human community,” said the Governor.
“As we proceed to the Eid prayers in the coming hours and beyond, let us embrace moderation in all things, foster human brotherhood, exchange gifts with one another, especially the poor, and recommit ourselves to building a community we are proud to be associated with.
“We ask Allah to accept our supplications and prayers, purify our deeds, bless our families, state, and country, and grant us the grace to dutifully observe many Ramadan fasts in the future,” the Governor concluded.
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