As Muslim faithful celebrate Eid-el-Kabir on Friday, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, on Thursday tasked Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political divides to fervently pray for the unity, peace and stability of the nation.
In a Sallah message signed by his Special Adviser on media, Mr Sola Fasure, the governor called on Muslim faithful in the state and Nigerian in general to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir to join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination to build a peaceful and harmonious country.‎
Aregbesola, who urged adherents of Islam to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority as demonstrated by Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to the will of God, pledged his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of the state in the remaining period of his tenure.
While assuring that President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government will continue to do all it can to improve the living conditions of Nigerians, the governor said political leaders and followers, religious leaders and their adherents must come together and forge a harmonious relationship for the love of their country.
Quoting from the Holy Quran Q41 v 46 which says: “Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is against his soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust to His servants,” Aregbesola said the pursuit of truth and justice at all times should be the watchword of those who hold the affairs of the nation in their hands.
He added that oppression, inequality, wrong-doing, defying right and justice, transgressing the boundary of God on earth are the bases of problems confronting the country, urging Nigerians, in the spirit of the festival, to rededicate themselves to the cause of serving their creator, country and humanity as a whole.
The statement reads in parts, “we should use the occasion to offer prayers to God for peaceful co-existence among different ethno-religious groups in the country. The celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir must draw us closer to God than ever before as well as strife to avoid negative tendencies which could further compound our fragile socio-political and economic conditions to the limit.
“We should stop the prevalence of hate speeches in the country and divisive acts and utterances that are threats to the corporate existence of the country. As Muslims, we are not to judge our fellow man. We should leave judgment to God who created us all. Why must people kill in the name of God? Why must people act God? Why must they pre-empt what their creator will do?
“Muslims must be tolerant, trustworthy, dependable and peace-loving wherever he lives. He must be a beacon of peace and sterling example of humankind worthy of emulation. People must put an end to violence, killing and mindless bloodletting all in the name of religions, and embrace peace and coexist peaceably amongst themselves wherever they reside,” Aregbesola remarked.
and then