Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and former Senate President, David Mark, have expressed felicitation to Muslim faithful on the occasion of celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.
While Saraki, called on all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the dreams and aspirations of building a strong, united, economically sound and politically stable country, Ekweremadu called for sacrifice and unity.
Senator Mark on his part, sought for peace and justice in the country.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of this year’s Eid- El-Kabir, while urging all Nigerians irrespective of religion to use the occasion to pray for the greater glory of the country.
He stated that the Muslim festival which falls on Jummat day (Friday) is unique as it carries a dual promise that all prayers offered during the Eid and Jummat have a double assurance of bringing Allah’s blessing to Muslim faithful and their country.
“It is significant that the Eid-El-Kabir and Jummat will be celebrated in one day,” Saraki said. “This tells us that all prayers offered during this solemn day will no doubt command double mercies of Allah towards us all.”
He called on all Muslims to seek Allah’s grace for the peace, unity, security and economic development of the country.
He equally enjoined Nigerians to pray for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari and God’s guidance for all persons in positions of authority – from the Presidency to the wards – as well as all those directing affairs in the private sector of the economy.
“This is a time we must be our brothers’ keeper by sharing our worldly goods with them. This is a time we must pray for our leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari and all those saddled with the responsibilities of leadership at all levels in our country.
“With prayers, I have no doubt that God will inspire and guide our leaders to initiate and sustain policies and programmes that would guarantee peace, security, economic growth, political stability and social cohesion in our nation,” the President of the Senate stated.
Saraki said he has no doubt that this year would witness the strong rebound of the nation’s economy and that the positive effects will trickle down to individual homes and help citizens to realize their goals and aspirations.
“Therefore, I call on all our brothers and sisters, fellow Nigerians, to be law abiding and support the present administration in its bid to tackle the problems of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and underperforming economy. I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters a peaceful, rewarding and blessed Eid-El-Kabir. May Allah accept our supplications”, he stated.
Ekweremadu enjoined Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and development.
Ekweremadu said: “I congratulate our Muslim brethren on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir. This season of conviviality presents another opportunity to reflect on our national challenges and the way forward.
“No nation realises its full potentials without equity, justice, unity, and peaceful co-existence. I enjoin the Muslim Umah and indeed all of us to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love that the season represents in order to move the nation forward”.
While also enjoining the Muslim Umah to cease the opportunity of the Sallah to recommit the nation into God’s hand, the Deputy President of the Senate wished the Muslim Umah a merry and hitch-free Eid el-Kabir celebration.
Mark once again canvassed for justice, righteousness and peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians.
Senator Mark in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the celebration of this year’s Sallah said only a harmonious and peaceful coexistence could guarantee meaningful development.
Apparently concerned about recent out burst from different regions agitating for self-independence within the existing geopolitical entity, Sen. Mark cautioned against any action or utterances capable of threatening the indivisibility of Nigeria.
He said Nigeria as a nation has over the years weathered the storm of socio-economic and political challenges pointing out that it will be unnecessary and ridiculous to ignite another storm.
Sen. Mark however admitted that the current political and constitutional arrangement may not be perfect but “with collective will and understanding of all stakeholders, we can gradually address the perceived imbalances without spilling the beans”
He therefore tasked authorities at all levels to begin forthwith a peace building mechanism between and among various groups so that the present misconceptions in some quarters would not snow ball into a bigger crises.
He reminded aggrieved persons that there are existing legitimate channels including the judiciary and the national assembly where groups or individuals could leverage on to seek redress of perceived wrong doings instead of resort to self-help.
For Sen. Mark, Nigeria is a big brother in Africa and a respectable player in the world affairs and cannot be seen to be doing things in the opposite direction.
The former Senate president craved for a just and egalitarian society where every citizen is free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation.
