Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday charged Muslims across the state to keep up acts of charity with a view to fostering mutual understanding and unity in the country.
Ambode spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, at an Eid-el-Fitr celebration held at Evan Square, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Muslims, he said, should not forget the lessons of the holy month which is the fear of God and care for the needy as they celebrate the successful conclusion of this year’s Ramadan fast.
He noted that a year ago, this same occasion was celebrated in 20 locations across Lagos State in furtherance of the commitment of the State Government to promote all inclusive governance and ensure that Lagosians feel the pulse of good governance irrespective of their location within the state.
He added that apart from the festivities and the promotion of the social bonding, the occasion is also a way of showing gratitude to God for his love which made it possible for Lagosians to experience an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence and religious harmony which has contributed significantly to the progress and prosperity that has been achieved in the state.
He explained that the Government has made giant strides in the march towards the Smart City of everyone’s collective dream, adding that Lagosians should keep supporting the Government through their commitment to the discharge of their civic obligations.
Funsho Raji and other dignitaries including the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mrs Taiwo Oyemade, Chairmen of Lagos Mainland Local Government and Yaba Local Council Development Area, Hon Omolola Essien and Hon Kayode Omiyale and several Muslim faithful.
Akeredolu hails Muslim faithful
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State rejoiced with Muslims across the country on the successful celebration of this year’s Ramadan.
Akeredolu said yesterday that the successful celebration of this year’s Sallah is a proof that Islam is a religion of peace.
He urged the Muslim faithful to continue to sustain the lessons learnt during the Ramadan by contributing to the selfless service of humanity and offering assistance to the less-privileged.
Akeredolu expressed optimism that Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political belief, will continue to promote unity, love, oneness and peaceful co-existence, which Islam as a way of life is promoting.
The governor, however, urged Muslims across the country to imbibe all the lessons learnt from the one-month Ramadan.
Aregbesola tasks Nigerians on disciplined, focused life
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, urged Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves by living disciplined, focused and pious life that will translate to prosperity for the country and her people.
He called on Nigerians to work in unity, love, peace and harmony and form a formidable force that will help to stimulate the commonwealth of the nation for the benefit of all.
Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the Muslim faithful during the 2018 Eid-el-Fitri prayers at Osogbo ýCentral Eid Praying Ground.
He named productivity as the panacea to nation’s challenges, saying Nigerians must begin to champion hard work in the quest to reposition Nigeria on the path of greatness.
Governor said the time has come for Nigerians to keep hope alive and engage in things that will enhance productivity.
Aregbesola admonished Nigerians to jettison any act capable of promoting and aggravating resentment, anger and bitters in the course of their national daily lives.
The Governor implored those at the helm of affairs to justify the essence of their positions by being sensitive to the needs of the electorate in the implementation of their policies and programmes.
He called on Nigerian leaders to see leadership as service to humanity and not to amass undue gratification, adding that the interest of the people must be at heart of every leader for the nation to be great again.
While speaking on the significance of Ramadan and Eid-el-fitri, Governor Aregbesola admonished Muslim Ummah to maintain the virtues they have inculcated during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
He charged Muslims on love, peace, patience and perseverance, saying it has become incumbent on every Muslim to love others as he or she loves himself or herself.
Bayelsa charges Nigerians on perseverance
In a statement signed by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the state government congratulated the Muslim faithful in the state and across the country on the successful completion of the Ramadan.
The statement enjoined Muslims to live in peace with one another irrespective of their differences. He said as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitri, they should uphold the vital lessons of love, peace and perseverance which the holy month teaches. He also called for more prayers for Nigeria.
It urged Muslims to pray for the nation’s leaders to remain focused in the discharge of their duties for the overall interest of Nigerians.
The Commissioner stressed the need for religious tolerance which he noted would engender peaceful co-existence, unity and a prosperous Nigeria even as the 2019 general elections draw near.
Amosun preaches religious tolerance
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday advised residents of the state to continue to live peacefully with one another to sustain the pace of progress and development recorded in the last six years.
Amosun said the state is one, regardless of differences in people’s faith, saying everybody should live in love, harmony and unity with one another.
The Governor made the appeal in his Sallah message shortly after observing the Eid-el-Fitr prayer with Muslims in Abeokuta.
He charged Muslims to practice the good virtues they have acquired during the Ramadan and not go back to the vices they jettisoned.
He said: “It is all about Ogun State. Whether Muslims or Christians, we are one and the same. There is no difference.
“As we celebrate the Sallah to today, we shall celebrate more in good health.
“All the things we did not do during the Ramadan, we should not go back to them. We should not go back to life of vices because Allah is against it.
“We should tolerate one another, share in love with one another and continue to live the good attitude we have imbibed during this period.”
Adopt Ramadan lessons as lifetime habit —Masari
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State urged Muslims to make the lessons learnt during the just concluded Ramadan “their lifetime habit’’.
Masari made the appeal in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Audu Labaran, in Katsina.
“Having gone through the fasting period in devotion, obedience, charity, perseverance and respect for others, these traits should be a lifetime habit that should outlive the limited period which the Ramadan fasting was observed,’’ the governor said.
Masari also urged Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another and pray for the nation and its leaders.
The governor praised non-Muslims who became their brother’s keeper by joining in feeding less privileged Muslims in many parts of the country.
Gaidam lauds sustained peace, security
In his Sallah message to the people, Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, praised the sustained security in the state, attributing it to the prayers of the people and the resilience of security operatives in the state and the region.
Gaidam noted that sustained prayers of good people is what has defeated insurgency in the state.
He called on the people to use the lessons of Ramadan which instils discipline, truthfulness, patience, humility, devotion and obedience to the Almighty Allah, and move those virtues beyond the Ramadan period.
The governor noted that through prayers, the kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirls were safely returned except for a few that died in the process, calling on the people not to relent in their prayers for the total return of peace in the region.
He praised the gallantry of the security forces whom he said fought very hard and made sacrifices to secure the state and the region from the hands of Boko terrorists.
Gaidam also thanked international Non-Governmental Organisations and other NGOs while calling on them to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation programme of the state as peace has returned.
Ganduje urges Muslims to imbibe Ramadan lessons
Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, urged Muslims to continue to cherish the teachings of Ramadan and imbibe its lessons on self-discipline, piety, love, unity, peace and support for the weak and less privileged in order to attain spiritual upliftment and peaceful coexistence.
Congratulating Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr marking the completion of Ramadan fasting, Governor Ganduje also called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political inclination, to love one another, live peacefully and selflessly contribute to the development of Nigeria.
“As we approach the 2019 general elections, politicians must learn to be tolerant, accommodating, decent in their utterances and avoid hate speeches so as to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the state.”
A statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Mallam Muhammad Garba, said Governor Ganduje also expressed appreciation and gratitude to the people of Kano for their support and goodwill to the administration.
He also reiterated his commitment to the completion of all major projects and implementation of youth skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for the improvement of the wellbeing of the people and general development of the state.
Tambuwal counsels youths against violence
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State called on youths to resist any move by politicians to use them as political thugs to foment violence.
Tambuwal, who made the call in a special broadcast yesterday, said the 2019 election campaign has commenced and many politicians are devising means to secure political gains.
“Use your intelligence on productive means capable of contributing to the country’s development and shun the antics of using you (youths) on disturbing peaceful coexistence.
“You (youths) along with all categories of politicians should strive towards ensuring the nation’s peace and progress and refrain from all forms of fomenting trouble which deter the nation’s growth,’’ Tambuwal said.
Tambuwal also challenged all Nigerians to work for the unity and peaceful coexistence in achieving a successful 2019 general elections.
“We must focus on ensuring the progress of Nigeria and her budding democracy by ensuring that only those who have our collective interests are given the privilege of leadership, ’’ he said.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the socio-economic conditions of the people in the state through viable projects on health, education, agriculture and infrastructural development.
Dankwambo sues for peace
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State called for peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians as Muslims celebrated the Eid-el-Fitri.
He said that meaningful development for the wellbeing of all Nigerians could only be achieved with peace.
He asked everyone to “live in peace with one another as no meaningful development can be achieved without peace.
“We must embrace the tenets of peaceful co-existence as the catalyst for the socio-economic development of the state and the nation.
“Islam preaches peace, tolerance and mutual respect amongst members of every community, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.
“So I admonish us, in the spirit of the season, to imbibe the good lessons of Ramadan, which connotes selflessness, endurance, sacrifice, piety, generosity and total obedience to Allah (SWT), “ he said.