•As Dogara, canvasses unity, love, loyalty to Nigeria
(By our reporters)
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated all Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah, on this year’s Eid-El-Fitr, which marks the completion of Ramadan.
“I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of this month-long spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the Divine Command,” the president said in a message he personally signed.
“I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future. On this happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues of piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationship with one another.
“As we celebrate another Eid El Fitr, I admonish all patriotic Nigerians to uphold these lessons and also appreciate the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed us with.”
Buhari urged Nigerians to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of religion, tribe, language and political leanings, as they forge ahead to build on Country’s strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.
“On Monday this week, the Vice President, speaker and other government officials joined me to host Iftar reception at the State House with Nigerians of different backgrounds including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), artisans and Physically-challenged persons.
“As I said during the reception, I want to, once again, appeal to those of us who have the means, to remember the millions of Nigerians who are suffering deprivation because of violence perpetrated by terrorists.
“I am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges and, also, reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities,” he stated.
The President further reaffirmed that his administrattion will not relent in the fight against corruption and will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored to root out the malaise.
He also commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North-East part of the country.
He also appealled for the support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and the Country’s international partners as his administration explores the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara congratulated the Muslim Ummah across the country on the successful completion of Ramadan.
This was just as he urged the Muslim faithful to continue to pray for the country’s leaders, “most especially, President Buhari for God to guide, protect and give him the wisdom to steer the affairs of state and actualise the promised change.”
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja, the speaker also urged Muslims to pray for Nigeria to overcome present challenges. “May I use this opportunity to urge the faithful to use the occasion to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and continue to imbibe its teachings which are primarily premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality,” Dogara stated.
Also, in his Sallah message, his deputy, Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff appealed to Nigerians to love one another irrespective of religious beliefs and to eschew violence.