President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Muslims as they celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
This came as Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as well as his counterparts in Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed and Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday called on the citizenry to offer prayers for the country’s peace, unity and progress at Eid-el-Maulud and Christmas.
The governors advised Nigerians to be their brother’ keeper as they celebrate the birthdays of Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ.
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, called on Muslims to use the opportunity of Prophet Muhammed’s birthday to reflect on his teachings and life of piety, prayer and service to God and humanity.
Buhari urged adherents of the Islamic faith to rededicate themselves to upholding the injunctions of the Holy Quran in their personal life and in their relationship with others.
He wished the citizenry happy Eid-el-Maulud celebrations.
Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, enjoined Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet by promoting peaceful co-existence among the society’s segments.
Imploring Nigerians to shun ethnic, political and religious differences and work towards building a safer and better Nigeria, the governor said the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad should renew the faith and bond of unity among Nigerians as one people and one nation.
Ambode urged Muslims to internalise the virtues of honesty, selflessness, charity, tolerance, good neighbourliness, justice, equity and fairness, which Prophet Muhammad preached, saying such would engender national development.
But Ahmed advised Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper as they celebrate the birthdays of Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ even as we march towards a new Nigeria of religious stability and economic prosperity.
In his Eid-el-Maulud and Christmas messages by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, the Kwara State governor said Nigeria should walk the part of humility, moderate disposition, self-denial and brotherliness, which he described as hallmarks of both religions.
Ahmed, who also advised that the period should be used as a time to show love and affection, especially to the needy, said the citizens should be prepared to make sacrifices in the nation’s trying times.
He hailed Christian and Muslim leaders in the state for promoting religious harmony and encouraged them not to relent in their efforts to build a better society.
The governor assured the people that his administration remained committed to the well-being of all.
To Ajimobi, this year’s celebrations of the birth of the “holy ones, which follow in quick succession, was a rare coincidence and a momentous occasion that should be accordingly savoured by adherents of Islam and Christianity”.
He urged Christians and Muslims to use the occasion to rededicate themselves to the worship of the Almighty and to emulate the sterling lifestyle of both the son and messenger of God.
The governor advised the people to remember the less-privileged in orphanages, homes, hospitals and prisons during the season by extending love to them through visits, gifts and money.
He urged the state’s residents to embrace modesty in celebration and to be security-conscious during the season, which, he said, always witnessed upsurge in criminal activities.
Ajimobi hailed the fighting spirit of the citizens and workers in the face of biting economic realities, assuring the people that the state government was working hard to turn around the state’s fortunes.
The governor admonished the citizens, especially the youth, to shun fireworks and explosives, as well as careless handling of combustible materials.
Ajimobi urged Christian and Islamic religion faithful to pray for the nation’s sustained peace, progress and economic revival.
Assuring citizens of adequate protection, the governor said the “full weight of the law would be brought down on troublemakers and outlaws that might attempt to test the resolve of the police and other law enforcement agents during the Yuletide”.
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