Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, urged Muslims to be modest in their celebrations and to be on their guard against terrorists who might want to wreak havoc during the celebration.
Ajimobi said: ”Let me on this occasion congratulate my Muslim brothers and sisters on the successful completion of the Ramadan. It is my hope that the mandatory annual religious obligation will renew our strength and faith in Allah.”
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, also called on Muslims nationwide to pray for peace as the country is going through tough economic and security challenges.
Aregbesola, in a statement by his Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, admonished Muslims to imbibe the salient lessons of Ramadan and emulation of the humility, good neighbourliness, understanding and love exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad.
Also, Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on Muslims across the country to preach love, peace and uphold the tenets of Islam as well as the teachings of Holy Prophet Mohammed.
According to him, it is only by doing such that Nigeria could remain a peaceful nation and achieve its targeted development goals, especially under the prevailing harsh economic hardship.
The governor’s advice was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, called on all Nigerians to draw the lessons of piety, love, justice, fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, honesty and dedication derived from the teachings of the Holy Prophet all through the Ramadan period.
A statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, noted that the governor assured that his administration would continue to promote religious tolerance and the right environment for the freedom of worship.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal urged Nigerians to close ranks and work for the unity, political stability and progress of the nation.
This is contained in a message by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto.
Tambuwal also enjoined Muslims to use the end of Ramadan to offer prayers to God for peaceful co-existence among different ethno-religious groups in the country.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State urged Nigerian Muslims to be guided by the lessons learnt during Ramadan as this would greatly mould their lives in the right path prescribed by Almighty Allah.
In his Eid-el-Fitri message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, Governor Oshiomhole said the messages of love, perseverance, self-denial, almsgiving and others learnt during the holy month of Ramadan should not be discarded but applied daily by the Muslim in total obedience to the injunctions of Allah.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State enjoined Muslim Umah and the people of the state to continue to live the life of sacrifice in line with the tenets of the just concluded Ramadan.
He gave this charge in his Eid-el-Fitri message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, yesterday.
Governor of Plateau State, Honourable Simon Lalong, urged the Muslim Ummah to reflect on the significance of the religious obligation by putting to use the spiritual lessons learnt during the period of Ramadan.
He stressed that the virtues of sacrificial love for humanity in giving arms to the poor and needy, will reflect the gratitude of the Moslem faithful to Allah for their fulfilment of one of the pillars of Islam.
The senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, has prayed that the Almighty Allah will answer the supplications of the adherents of the Islamic faith as presented in the month of Ramadan.
The senator called on Muslims to continue to pray for and renew their support for the administration of President Mohammed Buhari to succeed.
First lady and wife of the president, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, yesterday visited and released five inmates in the Garu prison in Dutse, capital city of Jigawa State.
Speaking to the prisoners, Aisha Buhari said she embarked on visiting prisons nationwide and releasing some inmates under her foundation “Future Assured” in the spirit of Ramadan.
The first lady, who was represented by Alhaji Mustapha Habibu Fari, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) board of trustees, explained that the foundation was aimed at gaining freedom for some inmates with option of fine and offer material assistance to prisoners.
Wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki and members of the Senators’ Wives Forum (8th Session) have called on the Muslim faithful to continue to pray for the unity and growth of Nigeria beyond the Ramadan period.
In a statement released by the Forum’s Secretariat, Forum President, Mrs Saraki, enjoined Muslims to remember to be charitable towards one another, especially the needy.
Honourable Saheed Akinade Fijabi who is representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency at the House of Representative has charged Nigerians especially the Muslims to use this period to pray for peace.
Fijabi urged Muslims to use the festive period to pray for the country now that the country is witnessing series of attacks from Niger Delta and in the northern part.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and be ambassadors of peace.
Obasa, in his Ed-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Razak, also praised the sacrifice and spiritual commitment of all Nigerians, with particular reference to Muslims throughout the fasting period.
Also, Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Ali Ahmad, in his Eid-el-Fitri message issued by his Media Aide, Shuaib Abdulkadir, advised Muslims to reflect on the lessons learnt in the holy month for the betterment of the society.
Ahmad added that the celebration provides the best opportunity for Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnicity, political or social status to come together as one indivisible family with a view to making the nation great.
The Chief Whip, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Rotimi Abiru, called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the unity and greatness of the nation.
Abiru, representing Shomolu Constituency II, made this call on Monday, while speaking in a telephone chat from Saudi Arabia where he is currently performing Lesser Hajj.
A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Tunde Braimoh, urged Nigerians across ethnic divide to forgive and bear one another for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Braimoh, (APC- Kosofe II) and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the plea in his Eld-el-Fitri message.
Osun State House of Assembly under the leadership of Honourable Najeem Salaam has urged Muslim faithful not to allow the lessons of Ramadan, which are patience, perseverance, benevolence towards others and love among others to erode them.
In a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the Assembly said the current economic challenges facing the state and the nation at large required more patience, optimism and unshakable faith in God and loyalty to leadership.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, said that witnessing another Eid-el-Fitri was a special privilege from the Almighty Allah.
The minister urged Muslim faithful to keep on practising the lessons learnt from the holy month in their relationship with their Maker and fellow human beings.
The immediate past governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, urged Muslims to take the blessings of the period beyond the month of Ramadan.
The lessons of the month, he stated, are essential virtues required for peaceful co-existence within the society which included building self-control, self-restraint, self-evaluation and sacrifice.
Former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, urged Muslim faithful in the country to use the period to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Mohammed and imbibe the spirit of love, peace, faithfulness and forgiveness.
The former governor called on them to continue to pray for the unity, oneness as well as continued survival of the country.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, has implored Muslim faithful to consolidate the gains of Ramadan by fleeing from all appearances of evil.
The monarch said “Despite the socio-economic challenges confronting our people, such as liquidity crisis, corruption in high and low places, kidnapping etc, nothing is too difficult for God.”
Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, has emphasised the need for traditional rulers and religious leaders to sensitise the people on the benefits of peaceful co-existence irrespective of tribal, political and religious differences.
In a statement signed by his Private Secretary, Toyin Ajamu, Oba Oyewumi said, “I wish to congratulate the Muslim community on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri, which marks the successful completion of the Ramadan.
Social Democratic Party chieftain in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has advised Muslim faithful in Nigeria and Oyo State in particular to sustain the selflessness disposition, dedication to the words of God and demonstration of fear of God.
Makinde commended Muslims in Nigeria who despite the economic situation still demonstrated selflessness during the fasting period.
“It is heart-warming to note that our Muslim brothers and sisters demonstrated unusual love to one another when everyone breaks their fast together and one finds it difficult to know who actually the financier of such laudable act.”
The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, in a statement by his secretary, Alhaji Kamoru Aderibigbe, said the holy month of fasting might have come to an end, but the entire citizenry must allow the essence of the period, “which is God-consciousness,” to resonate in their daily living for the sake of the country and humanity in general.
He particularly urged Muslims to remain exemplars of the soul-cleansing month by exhibiting self-reform and abstaining from base desires for the rest of the lunar year and beyond.
Ogun State PDP governorship candidate in the last election, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, has urged all Moslems to pray for the peace and economic revival of Nigeria.
Isiaka said the lessons and teachings learnt during the holy month should not be lost during the celebration.
He said, “Our country needs our prayers at this critical period when the economy has nosedived beyond our imagination. Besides, we must continue to pray for our dear Ogun State to survive the current economic hardship and for our leaders to have compassion on the citizens.”
An Ede based Muslim Cleric and business tycoon, Alhaji Ajani Bello Monyasau, has put smiles on the faces of less privileged by donating to them in cash and kind.
Monyasau called on all well-meaning Nigerians to cultivate the habit of assisting the needy so as to eradicate poverty and crime in the society.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State also called on Muslims in the country to intensify their prayers for sustainable peace and improved economy for better living for the citizenry.
In its Eid message contained in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC said that the holy month of Ramadan is usually treasured as it offers mankind divine visitation, forgiveness of sins and renewal of relationship with God (Allah).
Oyo State chapter of Accord, in a message by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Nureni Adeniran, urged Muslims to continue their piety which peaked during the fast.
The party admonished Muslims in the country to continue to imbibe the good deeds and the teachings of Ramadan.
The League of Veteran Journalists in Oyo State has urged Muslim faithful to continue to live in tandem with the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran, even beyond Ramadan.
This was contained in a message signed by the Publicity secretary of the League, Mr Wale Adelowo.
The message also enjoined all Nigerians to follow the tenet of the Holy month in their relationship with others.
The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has enjoined Nigerians to embrace peace and good neighbourliness towards societal development.
This was contained in the Eid el-Fitri message signed by the National President of NACOMYO, Alhaji Kamal’ddin Akintunde, urging adherents of Islam and Christianity to tolerate and love one another as they are partners in the Nigeria’s march to progress.
NACOMYO called for more understanding, maturity and wisdom on the part of the leadership and followership of the two faiths in dealing with matters that tend to bring rancour and disharmony.
Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has said that the spirit of the Ramadan should be sustained beyond the month, for peaceful co-existence, safety and security among the people.
Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, quoted Oyeyemi as saying that the month of Ramadan provided opportunity for Muslims to show devotion to God, seek His blessings and show compassion to the less privileged members of the society.
The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) urged the faithful to remember the social and spiritual gains of the sacred month and fulfil their covenant with Allah in such a way that those gains would not be taken away from them by Satan.
A statement by the organisation’s media consultant, Dr Femi Abbas, read in part: “We should remember to pay our mandatory Zakatul-Fitr and be kind to the underprivileged ones in our celebrations. Such celebrations should exemplify the remorse and humility we imbibed in the sacred month of Ramadan.”
Former chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC) and Ondo State PDP governorship aspirant, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye and the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Honourable Felix Obuah, urged Muslims to use the Ramadan for inner reflections and make a u-turn from human imperfections to do that which is right and pleasing to Allah.
Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Oyo State chapter, also urged Muslims to embrace love and unity.
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