AS Muslims all over the world celebrates the annual Eid-el Adha, a festival of sacrifice, Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar has called on Muslims in the country to imbibe the values of peaceful co-existence and brotherly love.
In his goodwill message to the state on the occasion of the festival, the Governor said that since Islam preaches the message of peace and tolerance, every Nigerian should embrace brotherly love and harmonious co-existence irrespective of ethnoreligious difference.
Mohammed Abubakar also enjoined Muslim faithful to pray for continued peace and tranquillity in the state and use the occasion to rededicate themselves to the worship of Allah by extending their hands of fellowship to help the less privileged in the society.
He further stated that “I urge all other Muslim leaders in Bauchi State and the country at large to embrace the principles of Eid, which include; sacrifice, almsgiving, brotherhood and equality.
As we celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, let us also rededicate and commit ourselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty, charity and generosity to the less privileged, impartial leadership and true justice for all”.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us reflect on activities in the previous year and make an assessment of our spiritual affairs.
The significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, rather, it should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity as these should constitute what binds the people”, he also said.
The Governor then reinstated the commitment of his administration in protecting the lives and properties of citizens, assuring that the government will continue to deliver the dividends to the people of the state.
While wishing all Muslim brothers and sisters in the state a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, he expressed appreciation for the support given to the present administration and sought for the sustenance of the peaceful co-existence in the midst of the diversity of ethnic origin and religion in the state.
In his own message, the Chief Imam of Bauchi Central Mosque, Alhaji Bala Babainna called on Nigerians to continue praying for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections in the country.
Bala Babainna made the call in his Sallah Message on Tuesday saying that it became necessary for citizens to continue praying for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections because according to him it is vital to consolidate democratic peace and gains in the country when a full electoral cycle and strengthen democratic institutions are allowed.
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The Islamic cleric said that “We are calling on Nigerians and actors to embark on prayers that will prevent electoral violence that will better protect civilians and ensure credible, free and fair elections”.
According to him, what we need now irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations is to pray for successful conduct of 2019 general elections in the country and charged youths to shun all forms of political thuggery, adding that they should focus on their future, rather than engaging in political thuggery that will land them in trouble.
The Cleric also called Government to create more employment opportunities to the teeming youth in the country stating that, “Governments need to intensify efforts in creating employment opportunities to our teeming youth for them to engage in the way or the other that being idle”.
He added that, “The youths are the most active members of the society the need sense of belonging to move ahead, that there is nothing like self-employment if the opportunity is not there for him to self-reliance.
The government need to create the space for him to occupy”.
The Chief Imam, however, called on the youth to engage in agriculture, skill acquisition because of the huge potential for economic growth, employment and wealth creation involved stating,”Therefore their government need to explore ways in various sectors for the teeming youth to harness”.
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