Ramadan: Saraki canvasses tolerance, patriotism, unity among Nigerians •Let’s channel our diversity into making Nigeria great —Dogara

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday congratulated Muslim faithful on the completion of a month-long Ramadan fast, while urging Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peace, patriotism and love for one another as a way of building a strong and united nation.

Saraki, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a statement, said only tolerance,  stronger sense of patriotism and love for one another will help the country sail through the present multiple agitations confronting her.

He called on Nigerians to put love of the country above individual and sectional interests.

“We should put into practice the lessons of tolerance, perseverance, and love for our neighbours that we learnt during the Ramadan period to overcome the multiple agitations threatening the corporate existence of our country,” Saraki said. “We should realize that our strength as a nation revolves around our diverse nature, and we must do all we can to ensure that we manage these diversity to build a strong, economically viable, politically stable and prosperous nation”.

Amosun sues for peace, unity

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has urged Muslim faithful to continue to live in peace and unity as the celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri.

In his Eid-el-Fitri message, the governor said as Muslims round up the 30-day Ramadan fast, they should not relent in practising the lessons, which Ramadan stands for, including unity and living in peace.

“Ramadan is a period we increase our brotherhood and we know that it is only in unity that our prayers can be answered unhindered.

“We should therefore continue to live in unity at this critical time, when our nation is plagued with legion of challenges, such as kidnapping and unwholesome activities of herdsmen, which has brought untold hardship on many citizens”, he stated.

He also urged them to continue to exhibit the virtue of discipline, which is one vital essence of the Ramadan fast.

Let’s channel our diversity into making Nigeria great —Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has urged religious leaders to continue to preach and promote the virtues of unity, genuine love for one another and peaceful co-existence for the country to attain greatness  and eschew divisive and hate tendencies.

He said in a goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr celebration, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan.

“For Nigeria to attain greatness and fulfill it’s potentials, we must regard our diversity as a source of strength and continue to promote and strengthen the unity, peace and progress of the country at all times,” he stated.

While congratulating Muslims on the completion of the Ramadan fast, the Speaker called on them to imbibe and demonstrate the lessons of kindness, tolerance and submission to the higher authority identified with the holy month and put Nigeria first in all their endeavours.

“As you savour the ambience of  this occasion, I wish to enjoin our Muslim brothers to always be guided by the spirit and lessons of piety, forgiveness, love, charity and good neighbourliness learnt in the holy month of Ramadan and put Nigeria first in all your undertakings.”

Embrace tolerance, unity —Ambode

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of tolerance, unity and cooperation regardless of their ethnic, religious or social status, saying that it was only in such atmosphere that the nation could make meaningful progress.

The governor, in his message, signed by his chief press secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, said it was only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians could put the country back on its leadership pedestal, urging them to imbibe the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood which the period of the holy month symbolises.

According to him, Nigeria is was in dire need of brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among her citizens above all other things as a means to overcome the numerous challenges threatening her fledgling unity, especially with the disturbing trend of hate speeches.

Ambode added that in the last two years, despite the economic challenges, the nation had witnessed an appreciable level of development, expressing optimism that more could be achieved if all hands were on deck.

He thanked Lagos residents for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diverse ethnic origin and religious affiliation.