Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, as well as for peace, stability, and progress in Nigeria as the Ramadan period comes to a close.
Specifically, the Vice President sought prayers for God to continue to grant the President wisdom and strength to pilot the affairs of the country toward peace, unity, and prosperity.
Shettima, who made the call on Friday during the closing ceremony of Tafsir (reading of the Quran) for the month of Ramadan at the State House Mosque in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that prayer remains the fortress of the believer, the sanctuary where hopes are nurtured and destinies are shaped.
“It is our greatest weapon against despair and the most powerful armor for those entrusted with leadership. In this spirit, I urge us all to continue praying for our beloved nation and the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“May Almighty Allah grant him the wisdom, strength, and resolve to continue steering the ship of our great nation toward peace, unity, and prosperity. May He protect him from harm, fortify his heart with courage, and guide his every effort in service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The Vice President reminded the gathering that governance is a collective responsibility, not solely the burden of the government. He maintained that “our religious leaders, whose voices echo the moral conscience of our society, play an indispensable role in shaping our values and guiding our hearts.
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“Their service reminds us of the ideals that must define us: integrity, justice, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of others. To them, we owe our deepest gratitude.”
Shettima enjoined Muslim faithful to always embody the values of Ramadan, including sacrifice, discipline, and love in their daily lives. He emphasized that as they prepare to bid farewell to the holy month, they must not forget its essence.
He continued: “The days of devotion, self-restraint, and reflection must not be confined to Ramadan alone; rather, they must illuminate the path we walk every day. Fasting has not only taught us sacrifice and discipline; it has also awakened in us a profound sense of empathy. It has reminded us of the struggles of the less privileged, the hunger of the destitute, and the responsibilities we bear toward those in need.
“But as Ramadan draws to a close, we must ask ourselves: What have we truly gained if we revert to old habits of neglect, indifference, and discord? The true test of faith is not how we worship during Ramadan, but how we embody its values afterward.
“Let us, therefore, carry the spirit of this sacred month into our daily lives. Let us extend kindness where there is cruelty, offer generosity where there is want, and radiate love where there is division. Let us be ambassadors of Islam not only in public but also in our most private moments, embodying the goodness that defines our faith.”
The Vice President prayed to Almighty Allah to deepen the citizens’ sense of duty to the nation and to one another, saying, “May He make Nigeria a land of peace, unity, and enduring prosperity. May He grant us the fortitude to serve with sincerity and the wisdom to lead with compassion.”
Senator Shettima thanked the leadership of the State House Mosque for working tirelessly to make this year’s Tafsir and Iftar a reality, as he expressed what he described as President Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to the Mosque team for a job well done.
“May Allah’s infinite mercy and blessings descend upon us all. May He accept our fasts, strengthen our faith, and grant us the reward of the righteous. May He bless our beloved nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and guide us toward a future of peace, justice, and boundless progress,” he prayed.
In his closing prayers, the Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwahid Sulaiman Abubakar, offered prayers for the administration of President Tinubu, asking Almighty Allah to grant the President the wisdom, courage, and political will to steer the country toward the path of prosperity, abundance, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
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