By Tajudeen Adebanjo

The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule has felicitated with the Muslim world and Lagosians in particular for witnessing another Eid-il-Adha celebration.

She greeted President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet members, the League of Imams and Alfas and the Ulamau on the joyous occasion.

According to her, the celebration arose from a demonstration of piety and great sacrifice to Allah.

She, however, regretted that this year’s festival will not be as elegant as previous years due to the Coronavirus that has claimed many lives.

She said: “For those of us still living and healthy, it is not by our power or wisdom, rather by the mercy of Allah. We should therefore, not take that mercy for granted.

Our duty is to continue to demonstrate responsibility even while modestly celebrating by adhering strictly to the preventive measures laid down by the Nigeria Council for Disease Control (NCDC), the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, and as well as the Lagos State Government.

“We owe ourselves, family members, loved ones and the society the duty of care to safeguard and protect one another. This can be achieved by maintaining proper hygiene, ensure appropriate social and physical distancing and use appropriate face masks if we must go out.”

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Dr Adebule lamented that the world has lost so many lives to the pandemic, adding “we can’t afford to see more deaths. Though, as Muslims, we believe that every soul will taste death but at its decreed time by Allah. Despite this, our religion still encourages us to jealously guard every soul because it is precious.”

The former deputy governor reminded Muslims not forget that Eid-ul-Adha period is a season of sacrifice, exchanging of gifts, expression of love and peace, and above all, be their brother’s keeper.

“We should continue to preach peaceful co-existence and settle our differences amicably. These are the hallmark and lessons of this period as exemplified by our noble Prophet Muhammad. We should pray for our country to be free from various evils bedevilling her which are not limited to the COVID-19, corruption, Boko Haram scourge, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes.

“May we all celebrate more of it in good health and a peaceful and prosperous environment. I pray our dear country continue to prosper and Lagos remains the shining example of a State that works for all,” she said.