Governors, Saraki, Okorocha, Bishop felicitate Muslims on commencement of Ramadan fast

As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts all over the world to observe this year’s Ramadan fast, they have been urged to use the fasting period and the Holy month of Ramadan to pray for peace, progress, unity and development of Nigeria.

The Holy month has also been described as a renewed opportunity for the faithful to seek God’s forgiveness and recommit to the ideals of Islam.

Tribune Online reports that the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III declared Tuesday, April 13, 2021, as the first day of the Holy month of Ramadan following the sighting of the crescent moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Monday.

The sighting of the crescent moon signifies that Monday is the 29th day of the month of Shaban and Tuesday, April 13 as the first day of Ramadan 1442.

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, in his admonition, urged the Muslim faithful to increase their acts of kindness and generosity to the poor in the Holy month.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Tuesday in Osogbo, quoted Oyetola as describing the month of Ramadan as a period of spiritual uplift and complete devotion to Allah.

The governor encouraged Muslims to take advantage of the Holy month to strengthen their commitment to the service of Allah and humanity.

“I congratulate Muslim faithful in Osun and around the globe for witnessing yet another blessed month of Ramadan. We thank Allah who has made this possible.

“We must endeavour to increase our acts of kindness and generosity by showing love and extending hands of support to the poor and the needy, as it was the usual practice of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“As we all know, Ramadan is a period of spiritual uplift and complete devotion to Almighty Allah.

“We must, therefore, take advantage of this Holy month to strengthen our commitment to the service of Allah and humanity.

“I pray to Allah to accept all our acts of worship in this blessed month and reward us all abundantly,” the governor said.

Oyetola also urged Muslims in the state and Nigerians, in general, to seize the opportunity of the Holy month to intensify prayers for the continued peace, progress and development of Osun in particular and Nigeria in general.

The governor, who reminded the people that coronavirus was still around, appealed to them to continue to observe safety protocols at places of worship and ensure they use their nose masks.(NAN)

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State charged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for God’s intervention in the myriad of challenges currently facing Nigeria while describing the month of Ramadan as a period for sober reflection.

In a Ramadan message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, on Tuesday in Calabar, Ayade called for the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians devoid of ethno-religious wrangling.

He said that God has a reason for bringing together people of diverse culture and religion to form a country.

“The month of Ramadan is sacred and holy. It is also a month of sober reflection and introspection.

“I, therefore, call on the Muslim Ummah to use this holy month to seek God’s intervention in the myriad of challenges facing our country.

“God did not make a mistake bringing people of diverse culture and religion to form a country. He has a reason for it,” he said.

He thanked the Muslim community in the state for its unflinching support to his administration, stating that he was looking forward to breaking fast with them someday.

“I am looking forward to a day when I will sit down and break the fast with the Muslim community leaders who have contributed immensely to the social, political and economic development of our dear state.

“Cross River is an example of a state where there is co-habitation among diverse people, religion, ethnicity and tribes.

“There are over 20 Muslims holding important political positions in our government.

“This goes to show that in Cross River competence is placed above primordial, ethnic and religious sentiments,” the governor added.

He wished the Muslim community a successful Ramadan, praying that the holy month “brings peace and development to Nigeria, starting from Cross River”.

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Muhammed Onogwu, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, urged Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan fasting period to pray for peace and progress of Nigeria.

Bello said: “A period like this which is globally revered should be utilised by Muslim faithful across the nation to pray for progress and peace.

“When Ramadan arrives, the gates of paradise are opened and the gates of hell are locked, while the devil and his demons are put in chains.

“Muslims should devote more time to prayer and acts of charity as they similarly strive to improve their self-discipline, motivated by hadith,” he said.

The governor said that it should be a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship.

According to him, as followers of Islam, we are expected to put more efforts into following the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

Bello prayed God to bestow on all Muslims the good health to engage faithfully and be a beneficiary of the blessings of the season.

He also prayed that all individuals’ and collective pleas should receive speedy answer from the Almighty.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the month of Ramadan as a renewed opportunity for the faithful to seek God’s forgiveness and recommit to the ideals of Islam.

“I join the Muslim community, especially in Kwara State, to thank the Almighty Allaah for another opportunity to witness another Ramadan. It is another moment to show immense gratitude to the Almighty for His mercies just as it is a new window to get closer to our creator through increased good deeds that include but are not limited to alms-giving and going out of our ways to make life worth living for others in our own corners,” the Governor said in a statement.

“I specifically felicitate the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and the entire Muslim community while wishing them a spiritually rewarding Ramadan ahead. I urge Kwarans to continue to be one another’s brother’s keepers and to forgive one another’s missteps in exchange for Allaah’s forgiveness and mercies. I pray the Almighty Allaah to grant all of us the full blessings of the holy month and give us the grace to witness many more of it in the best state of faith in God, and in good health,” he added.

Lagos State governor, Mr Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, urged all Muslim clerics to use the 30 days of Ramadan to continually pray for Nigeria, saying the country needed prayer for peace and stability more than ever before.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, made the call while speaking at the 2021 Pre-Ramadan prayer on Monday, saying they should keep praying because the soul of the country is shaking.

“We should endeavour to pray more because our country is currently shaking. May Allah accept our prayers,” he said.

The governor equally urged Muslims to observe the COVID-19 protocol as many have died from the virus, disclosing that the person who built the tent used for the prayer to usher in this year’s Ramadan in Lagos House died Monday morning.

Delivering a lecture, the Head of Daru Dawah School, Isolo, Sheikh Is-haq Zuglul, said men should be conscious of their deeds as that would have impacts when they eventually died.

Speaking on the topic titled: “The Purposefulness of Life- not a matter that can be wished away,” the cleric maintained that the purpose of life was to worship Allah, adding that people of faith believe that one’s action on the surface of the earth determines what he or she earns in the hereafter.

“In Islam, the purpose of life is to worship Allah. Allah says in the Quran that He creates man has a khalifa (vicegerent) and that they should worship Him. The people of faith believe that one’s action on this surface of the earth determines what he or she earns in the hereafter. The purpose of daily prayers of the Muslim is to avoid evils,” he said.

Delivering the second lecture, Dr. Sa’eid Ahmad of LASCOM, Ikeja, who spoke on the topic: “Availing the teachings of Ramadan for a peaceful & progressive society amidst Covid-19 challenges,” enjoined Muslim faithful to take the issue of safety protocols.

In his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi,  also enjoined all Muslim faithful to commit Lagos State and the country at large into the hands of the Almighty God as they prayed throughout the Holy month.

The commissioner, while giving thanks to God for allowing the citizens to be alive to witness the year 2021 Pre-Ramadan lecture/Prayer to usher in the Holy month of the 30-day fast, noted that Ramadan fast was a command from the Almighty Allah as recorded in the Holy Quran Chapter 2, Verse 189, even as he recalled that this time last year, the whole world was rudely shocked by the intrusion of the “Coronavirus which forced most countries to lockdown hence the event could not hold as we are doing it today.”

“We, therefore, have every reason to thank the Almighty Allah for giving the world respite and victory recorded so far over the pandemic,” he said.

Elegushi called on the people and in particular Muslim brethren to avail themselves with the training and serenity that Ramadan affords to cleanse their hearts, enrich their souls with virtues and re-dedicate themselves to the good of humanity and the development and progress of the state and Nigeria.

“Let us remember to cater for the less privileged around us as commanded by the Holy Quran even as we abstain from all forms of wrongdoing even beyond the fasting period; a call to fellow-feeling, harmonious co-existence devoid of prejudice, hatred, acrimony and bigotry and exhibit attributes of charity and good neighbourliness,” the commissioner admonished.

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle called on Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray so that God will make life easier for Nigerians.

While wishing all Muslims a successful Ibaadat (religious obligation) in a message he issued on Tuesday and signed by the Director-General Media, Yusuf Idris Gusau, he urged them to use the period to rededicate their prayers to Allah (SAW) in order to make life easier for all.

He also urged Muslims to imbibe the teachings of the Holy month through Taqwa and giving sadaqa to the needy and the less privileged.

He further urged people to use the Ramadan period to repent from all bad acts and other social vices by following the teachings of the noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Matawalle also called on the Muslims to pray for a total end to terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other crimes bedevilling the state in particular and the nation in general so that the government can continue to bring the dividends of democracy to the people.

He appealed to traders and people engaged in selling essential commodities to cut down prices throughout the blessed month and beyond so as to benefit from Allah’s rewards.

He assured his administration’s commitment in upholding all the Islamic norms and values according to the teachings of Islam.

He prayed for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast with ease and blessings.

Immediate past President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki urged his fellow citizens to use the period to pray to Allah to return peace, unity and development to the country.

Saraki in a statement signed by the head of his Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that Ramadan is a period in which Muslims improve on their closeness to their creator and demonstrate love to their fellow human beings, adding that Nigerians should deliberately use the period to also supplicate to Allah to help stop bloodshed, insecurity, economic crisis and disunity in the country.

“Ramadan is always a period of peace. Even in the period of the holy prophet, wars were not fought during Ramadan. Therefore, it is a period that can be used to pray to Almighty Allah to help us stop insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of violence in our land. We also need to rededicate ourselves to helping our security services with prayers, information and support so that they can make a serious headway.

“This period of fasting is also a period that those who are privileged and blessed with resources should extend good hands of fellowship to their neighbours and others who are not so privileged. This tradition must be emphasized.

“Let me also appeal to our traders not to hike prices of food items and other materials which our citizens consume because of Ramadan. This holy month should not be used in exploiting our fellow countrymen and women. In fact, it is a time to reduce the prices and ensure that fellow Muslims and others could afford to feed well during iftar and sahur.

“During this Ramadan, those of us who are Muslims must vow that we do not just want to be religious but we want to be God-fearing and demonstrate genuine iman (faith in Allah and His words). We must rededicate ourselves to the cause of Allah and our country.

“Once again, I congratulate my fellow Muslims for witnessing this year’s Ramadan despite the recent global challenges that confront all of us. I pray that Almighty Allah grant us the grace and good health to witness the end of the fasting period and to witness many more Ramadan,” Saraki stated.

A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, in his goodwill message to Muslims, urged the Muslim Ummah to exploit the solemnity of the season to pray for an improved security situation in the country while calling for special prayers for officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant Public Affairs, Hajia Zainab Mohammed in Abuja, the Imo West Senator said the country is currently bedevilled by insecurity.

“As this important and solemn Ramadan month starts, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters successful and fruitful fasting. As we all know, our country is in dire straits as a result of the enormous pressure on our security and the unrelenting attacks on important national infrastructure, including places, previously thought to be impregnable.

“There can’t be a better prayer point for this Ramadan, than for the Almighty Allah to strengthen our security agents and bring the perpetrators of this heinous violence to justice.”

Pray for your leaders, help less privileged, APC urges Nigerians

The ruling All Progressives Congress has urged the Muslim faithful to use the season to pray for leaders and remember to take care of the less privileged around us.

National Secretary, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, gave the admonition in a statement on Tuesday.

The APC prayed to “the Almighty Allah answer our prayers and imbue in us the spirit of sacrifice, humility, mercy and kindness.”

The statement read in part: “As the Holy month of Ramadan which marks the commencement of 30 days of fasting begins today, the All Progressives Congress (APC) enjoin Muslim faithful to use the opportunity presented by the Holy month to come closer to the Almighty Allah.

“Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar is considered one of the most blessed, if not the holiest month in Islam. The APC hereby urges Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s shared prosperity, development and security. We should also pray for our leaders and remember to take care of the less privileged around us.

“We pray the Almighty Allah to answer our prayers and imbue in us the spirit of sacrifice, humility, mercy and kindness.”

The Catholic Diocese of Oyo State called for unity of purpose as all citizens seek the return the Nigerian society to the path of serenity and prosperity.

The diocese, according to a statement jointly signed by the Bishop of the diocese, Most Reverend Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, and Diocesan Director of IRD, Rev. Fr Joseph Wale Ogundipe, reiterated that all Muslims and Christians must join hands together to promote the virtues of equity, justice and peace.

The statement reads: “Dear friends, we all feel most concerned about the current rate of violence, kidnapping, banditry and bloodshed in our country. We must all be concerned about the current siege imposed on Yorubaland through violent kidnapping, rape and killing of women, farmers and even ordinary citizens while going about their lawful duties.

“This is happening to Christians and Muslims alike and is making day-to-day living and livelihood difficult for all. Ours is a culture that respects the sanctity of life and the rights of all citizens while protecting harmonious coexistence. Therefore, as Muslims and Christians, we must join hands together and promote the virtues of equity, justice and peace so as to return our society to the path of serenity and prosperity.

“As Catholics, we are open to working with you for fruitful and holistic human development which will enhance the future of our children and society. On this note, we pray for our religious and political leaders that the Almighty Allah may help them to lead us aright.

“As we pray for your successful observation of this holy season we assure you of our goodwill and pray that your supplication may bring peace to our world, our country and to Yorubaland in particular. Wishing you a blessed month of Ramadan.”

Meanwhile, a Muslim organization, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has charged dealers and retailers in foodstuff items irrespective of their religious persuasions not to increase the cost of the items in order to make the holy month a blessing for them and their loved ones.

This was contained in the Ramadan message jointly signed by the national coordinator of the group Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi and the national secretary Dr. Nasir Balogun.

The group, which described the Holy Month of Ramadan as a blessing to mankind, added that any good deed in the month is a reward in multiple folds, while sins committed therein will be punished severely by Almighty Allah here and here and hereafter.

It described profiteering as a grievous sin that would attract severe punishment from God as it creates a hardship for the poor and less-privileged, warning that the problem of hunger and poverty in the land must not be increased through profiteering of food items.

On the problem of insecurity in the land, the group admonished the misguided elements engaging in terrorism, kidnapping, abduction, arson and all forms of criminal activities to, in the spirit of the holy month, quit the business, surrender their arms and ammunitions and resolve to live better lives from this holy month till they exit this planet, adding that this is better for them – so as to save them Allah’s chastisement here and hereafter.

On beggars on the streets especially children of school ages, the group called on federal and state governments to synergise in the spirit of ‘International Day for Children on the Streets’ to evolve a social policy that would keep them off the streets and register them for schooling.

The group, in a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Abdullahi, and National Secretary, Dr. Nasir Balogun, added that most of the criminal activities we are witnessing in Nigeria now are by-products of illiteracy, bad parentage and lack of social policies to stem the tide.

The group specially called on the 19 Northern states governors to put into effect the avowed promise to wipe out begging on the Region to engender peace and progress in the zone, adding that the security challenges prevailing it is unimaginable.

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