The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eid -el- Kabir

  • Recession due to global downturn, past governments, says Buhari

    Recession due to global downturn, past governments, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday attributed the economic recession in the country partly to the global economic downturn and the failure of past governments in the country to save for the rainy day.

    He made the remark in his Eid-El-Kabir message to Nigerians.

    He however said that his administration is committed to reflating the economy and improving the standard of living of Nigerians.

    He wished all Nigerians happy Sallah celebrations.

    Full text of the message follows:

    “Fellow Compatriots, as you celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, I salute your steadfastness in spite of the difficult economic times the country is going through.

    “The lessons of the Eid are piety and sacrifice and, my dear brothers and sisters, you have exhibited these in equal measure.

    “The present recession is as a result of cumulative effects of worldwide economic downturn and failure in the past to plan and save for difficult times. It is impossible to separate the present from the past to appreciate the extent to which mistakes of the past are affecting everyday life today.

    “I assure you that this administration is working round the clock to remove the hardships the country is going through. Rail and road constructions, projects in the housing sector, support for farmers and for small and medium scale industries, youth and women’s empowerment programmes, support for revival of industries are all designed to reinvigorate the economy and enhance living standards of ordinary people.” He added

    While noting that his administration is getting security right and stopping corruption in its tracks, he expressed confidence that the government will get the economy right by the Grace of God.

    “I enjoin Muslims to live by the dictates of Islam, to keep good relationships with their Christian brothers and sisters and as patriots to maintain the spirit of the Nigerian nation,” he stated.

  • Eid-el-kabir: Ambode urges Muslims to imbibe values of sacrifice, endurance

    Eid-el-kabir: Ambode urges Muslims to imbibe values of sacrifice, endurance

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday called on Muslims in Nigeria to imbibe the values of sacrifice and endurance as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

    In his Sallah message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, Governor Ambode said the period of the celebration is one that calls for every Muslim and other Nigerians to embrace the tenets of sacrifice, patience, humility and brotherly love.

    He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, adding that it should be a moment to reflect on why God has united everyone with a common humanity of blood, food and water as these should constitute what binds the people.

    He, therefore, called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalization of the lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service which are for the benefit of mankind.

    “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her place in the comity of nations”, the Governor said.

    He said the prevailing economic recession currently taking its toll on Nigerians was only a phase that will pave way for a new dawn in the country, saying the Federal Government is making steady efforts to salvage the situation.

    “This period requires more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all. The President Muhammadu Buhari administration remains committed to lead the nation in overcoming its current economic and developmental challenges”.

    While wishing all Muslim brothers and sisters in the State a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Governor Ambode expressed appreciation for the support given to his administration, urging all Lagosians to continue to embrace peaceful co-existence.

  • Eid-el-kabir: Kano police beef up security, assure of hitch-free celebration

    The Kano State Police Command has assured residents of adequate security during the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

    In a statement, issued and signed by the Kano Police Command spokesman, DSP Magaji Musa Majiya, the command stated that it has put in place security measures to ensure a crime-free Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

    It said it has deployed adequate personnel at praying grounds, recreational centres, markets, entry and exit points of the state, including all other strategic places, to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

    The statement advised people heading to recreational centres, as well as places of gathering during the celebrations to be extra-vigilant, by taking good cognizance of people, as well as objects around them.

    Similarly, it advised Muslim faithful trooping to Eid praying grounds to be armed only with their praying mats.

    More importantly, it said vehicles must be parked about 200 metres away from Eid praying grounds, while all worshippers must be mandatorily screened with metal detectors before been allowed entry into the mosque premises.

    The Nation observed that the Police Command has embarked on motorised patrol of the metropolis, just as police presence is noticeable at strategic locations, within the metropolitans.

  • Saraki urges Nigerians to use Eid-el-Kabir for prayers

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged Nigerians, especially the Muslims, to use Eid-el-Kabir period to pray for restoration of economic prosperity and financial stability in the country.

    Saraki made the call while fielding questions from State House correspondents after joining President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful at Juma’at prayer at the State House.

    He said that with genuine prayer to Almighty God, Nigeria would come out of the current socio-economic challenges.

    “With prayer, Insha Allah, we will overcome (recession) it.

    “The most important thing is for us to stay together and give the president support and continue to believe in this great country that we all have and be rest assured that we will all weather the storm and scale through together.

    “Once again, as a country in this period we will continue to pray.

    “On Sunday, the day of Arafat, we offer prayer for our leaders and president so that we can do what is right; because we feel the pain, we know what the country is going through.

    “There is no Nigerian with blood flowing through his vein that will not know that things are difficult now and we pray that with God’s guidance, He will see us through,’’ Saraki said.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: IGP orders massive deployment of policemen

    A massive deployment of policemen is underway across the nation ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, ordered the deployment to ensure a hitch-free Sallah, according to Force Spokesman, Don Awunah.

    Assistant Inspectors-General  in charge of zonal commands were directed to deploy adequate personnel to praying grounds and  recreation centres, among others, while police commanders are  to collaborate with sister agencies and community leaders to monitor activities of “undesirable elements”  in the society.

    He said the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Units, Explosive Ordinance Department, criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department would also be deployed.

    Awunah said sustained surveillance and special attention would be paid to flash and vulnerable points among others during the Sallah celebration and beyond.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is confident that the operational strategies being executed for the Sallah festivities will guarantee a peaceful and hitch free Eid-El-Kabir celebration,” he said.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Lagos beefs up security

     

    The Lagos State Government has made adequate preparations to ensure a hitch free celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, disclosing that security personnel have been mobilized to be at strategic places.

     

    While briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of the monthly Security Council meeting, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni said the Council appraised the security strategies already put in place for the celebration and members were satisfied with the solid arrangement towards a successful celebration.

     

    According to Owoseni, “We looked at all the strategies that have been put in place by all the security agencies and the support that the State Government is giving us and we are satisfied that we are well prepared to ensure that residents of Lagos have hitch-free holiday period and that the Muslim brothers and sisters also have a successful and hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir holiday.

     

    “Security agencies will be at all the strategic places including the Eid-el-Kabir praying ground, amusement parks and the malls so that by the time we are ending the holiday and the Sallah is finished, everybody will be happy to say that it is another successful holiday and it is another successful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”

  • FG declares Monday, Tuesday public holiday

    FG declares Monday, Tuesday public holiday

    The Federal Government (FG) on Wednesday declared next week Monday and Tuesday 2th and 13th September, as public holidays to mark Eid-el-Kabir Celebration.

    Details shortly…

  • Eid-El Kabir on Monday, Sultan declares

    Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has declared next Monday as the Eid-El-Kabir Day, 1437 AH.

    This followed the declaration of Saturday, Sept. 3 as the 1st of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.

    The announcement was contained in a statement in Sokoto at the weekend by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto.

    The statement said: ‘’The committee, in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country.

    ‘’The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, 3rd Sept., 2016, as the first day of Zulhijja,1437 AH.

    ‘’Therefore, Monday 12th Sept, 2016 which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, will be marked as this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.’’

    Abubakar felicitated with the Muslim Ummah and wished them Allah’s guidance as well as blessings.

  • September 12 is Eid el-Kabir Day – Sultan

    September 12 is Eid el-Kabir Day – Sultan

    The Sultan of Sokoto,  Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Monday, September 12, as Eid-el-Kabir Day.

    This followed the declaration of September 3 as the 1st of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.

    A statement signed by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, disclosed this on Saturday.

    “The committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee had received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country, “the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Prof. Junaidu as saying in the statement.

    ” The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, September 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH.

    “The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, September 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.

    ” Therefore, Monday, September 12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir.”

     

  • Extension of Eid-el-Kabir holiday a dangerous precedent, says group

    A coalition of Christians led by the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) yesterday condemned the extension of last week’s public holiday by the Federal Government, describing as a dangerous precedent.

    It called on the government and Islamic leaders to repay the country the loss recorded as a result of the extension.

    Key members of NCEF are: Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) (Chairman); Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Prof. Joseph Otubu, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Nat Okoro and Prof. Vincent Anigbogu.

    Others are Gen. Ishaku Dikko (rtd), Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Elder Mike Orobator, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Justice M. Ogebe (rtd), Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, Chief Debo Omotosho, Dr. Musa Asake, Joseph Daramola, Pastor Olatunbosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

    Apart from NCEF, other members of the coalition include Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship; Think Tank for the body of Christ; Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria; Association of Christian Schools in Nigeria; Students Christian Movement; Christian Professionals Forum; Intercessors for Nigeria and International Prophetic Ministerial Association (Inc. Worldwide College of Bishops and Ministers: Africa, UK and USA.

    The coalition also has Intercessors without Walls; Wailing Women International; Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship; Nigerian Fellowship of Christian Students; Ministers Prayer Network; International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and University Joint Campus Christian Fellowship as members.

    The statement by Asemota reads: “As Nigerians, we congratulate the Muslims in the nation on their successful completion of the Ramadan fast in 2016. However, we are disturbed by the apparent shoddiness and confusion the Federal Government brought into the declaration of the Public Holiday rounding off the Muslim religious exercise.

    “The Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th July as Public Holiday only to reverse itself and declare Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July 2016 as Public Holiday. If this was done before Tuesday was observed as Public Holiday, it would have been tolerable but declaring Thursday 7th as Public Holiday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday is bad. The implication now is that three days would be work free in the week.

    “We are equally appalled that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau based the decision to declare Thursday as Public Holiday on the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (last Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon.”