President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has called for sustained prayers for peace in the country even as he congratulated Muslim faithful across the country.
Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations urged Nigerians not to lose hope even as he commended Federal Government efforts in combating the challenge of insecurity.
He, however, said it was imperative for Muslim faithful to utilise this period to pray fervently for peace and unity in the country.
“We have just ended a month-long fast thus paving way for the Eid-el-fitr celebrations. These two periods are such times that the Almighty Allah enjoined us to ask for his blessings. We should, therefore, seize the opportunity to pray for the country and its leaders,” Saraki said.
“Nigerians should use the season to promote national integration as Eid-el-fitr is a time of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none.Despite numerous challenges in the country,hope is not lost as only tolerance, stronger sense of patriotism and love for one another will help the country surmount her present socio-economic challenges,” he said.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has urged Muslims to pray for key leaders in Nigeria.
Dogara in his Sallah message to the Muslim community in Nigeria enjoined them to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and replicate same in their daily lives for a better society.
His message read “As you join the rest of the Ummah all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I enjoin you to replicate and demonstrate in your daily lives the lessons and virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, piety, self denial and genuine love towards one another which you learnt during the month-long fast.
“This is indeed another moment of celebration and sober reflection. And apart from reflection, I urge you to also take out opportunity, cashing on the spirituality of this festive period to offer special prayers for the nation against the backdrop of the current security and economic situation and to lift up our people before God, especially the downtrodden- those Who struggle to make ends meet as well as the leadership of this country- from Mr. President, the Vice President, the Leadership of the National Assembly, the Governors down to Local Government Chairmen and councillors for God to grant us wisdom and give us understanding and for Him to open up doors of opportunity so that we will be able to meet the expectations of the peopleand overcome the many challenges in the country.
“Nigerians, irrespective of their persuasions should cement the bond of unity and brotherhood as a people of common destiny and contribute meaningfully in the quest for building a peaceful and united country.”
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