The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has called on the Muslim faithful to remain prayerful for the sustenance of peace, unity, and progress of the country.
The Etsu Nupe, in a goodwill message on Monday in Bida, congratulated the Muslims on the beginning of the new Islamic year, Hijrah 1446 AH.
He said, ”The beginning of every Islamic calendar year reminds the world of the migration of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH) from his birthplace, Mecca, to Medina, for the sake of Islam.
“This brings to mind the need for everyone to imbibe the lessons of patience, perseverance, tolerance, moderation, and compassion,” he remarks.
The traditional ruler expressed the hope that mankind would be guided by the significance and lessons of the event.
He thereby called for tolerance, mutual respect, and compassion among Nigerians, irrespective of their beliefs.
The Etsu Nupe also called on the Muslim Ummah to use the period to pray for the leadership of the country at all levels, to succeed in their quest to find lasting solutions to societal challenges.
Abubakar highlighted the significance of prayer for those in positions of authority, adding that collective support was crucial for effective governance.
According to the royal father, the country is confronted with many challenges which need divine intervention in addressing them, in addition to human efforts.
The foremost Monarch urged the faithful to continue to pray for peace and economic development of the state in particular and the country as a whole.
He emphasised the need for Muslims to always live their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadiths.
The Etsu Nupe stressed that Nigerians’ collective faith in God and sustained prayers for the peace, unity, and progress of the country were essential conditions for the realisation of the nation’s founding fathers’ dreams and aspirations.
Abubakar described peace and unity as veritable tools for national development, urging, “Nigerians must strive to maintain them for the nation to move forward.”
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