A cross section of Islamic faithful during the Sallah prayers at the central praying ground, Minna

By Sam Eyoboka / Daniel Idonor / Abdallah el-Kurebe
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Muslim Eid-El-Kabir Celebration to make more sacrifices that would take Nigeria to greater heights just as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, urged politicians in the country to shun provocative statements as they campaign for the 2011 general elections.

Governors, Christian Association of Nigeria, religious and political leaders in their separate sallah messages called for peaceful co-existence among the citizens
Receiving the Muslim community of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, led by the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, during the Traditional Sallah Homage, TSH, President Jonathan said the celebration is a period of divine obedience; and admonished Nigerians to be ready to make sacrifice.

The President remarked that the problem of the country is not that of the government alone but of all Nigerians, and charged the people to follow the steps of Prophet Mohammed by making personal sacrifices for the good of the country.

To this end, he urged Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious differences to join hands with the government in the effort of making the country a great one.

President Jonathan further said as a nation, if the people could work together in unity and harmony it will surely get to the zenith where it so much desired.

The president said it is high time Nigerians begin to consider themselves as one, as exemplified by the millions of Muslim faithful of different tongue and race who converged at Mecca  to perform this year’s Hajj in fulfillment of a key injunction of their faith.

He noted that as a “people we must make our own sacrifice,” adding that if all of us could make sacrifices, then it is obvious that this nation will be a great one.”

This he said is necessary so as to bequeath for the unborn generations a nation that they can be proud of, saying that the effort to build a great nation requires commitment and willingness to change on the part of all.

“Every Nigerian must demostrate commitment and willingness to change our country for the good”.

The Sultan, in his own message to the Muslim Ummah said, “Politicians should avoid all acts that are capable of causing the breach of the peace, thereby leading to violence.” In the message read by the Wazirin Sokoto, Alhaji Usman Junaidu yesterday he argued that politicians should conduct their campaigns based on issues and shun character assassination and statements that could injure the feelings of the others.

CAN calls for peaceful co-existence

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, also enjoined Muslims to use the opportunity of this year’s Eid el Kabir to offer prayers to God for peaceful co-existence among different ethno-religious groups in the country as well as peaceful conduct of elections come next year.

In a statement signed by the National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria congratulated the Muslims for the successful flag off of this year’s Hajj to Mecca, hoping that the pilgrims will use the occasion to pray for the country’s development.

Wishing the Muslims a happy Sallah celebration, he charged adherents of Islam to continue to live up to the tenets of their faith through acts of charity, peaceful co-existence with their neighbours in obedience to the injunctions of Holy Koran and sacrifice as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim whose spirit of obedience was demonstrated through his submission to the will of Allah even in very difficult circumstances.

Oritsejafor also cautioned politicians to refrain from taking advantage of the high rate of unemployment in the country to recruit the nation’s youths for thuggery during the forthcoming election or employ their services to maim opponents in the name of religion.

Saraki preaches peace

Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State in his Sallah message called on religious leaders in the country to continue to preach peace and unity to their followers and display love towards one another noting that it is only these attributes can make Nigeria  attain greatness and return to her glorious era.

Dr Saraki, further in his  message to all Muslims in the state to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their massive support during the last local government election in the State and enjoined them to continue to eschew politics of bitterness and destruction as the nation approaches the 2011 general elections.

Daniel prays for peaceful polls

From Abeokuta came the report that the Ogun State governor, Otumba Olugbenga Daniel, has appealed to the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of this year’s Eid el Kabir to pray for the  development of the country as well as the peaceful conduct of the next general elections.

The governor urged all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith to eschew violence and live in harmony, saying: “Our brothers and sisters in Islam should use this period to pray for our nation as we intensify preparations for the next elections. We should not allow sectarian or ethnic considerations to divide us and set back the wheel of progress of the nation”.

Mimiko calls for peace

The Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in his message, called on Moslem Ummah and Nigerians in general to use the occasion to pray for the development of the country as well as the peaceful co-existence of its inhabitants.

Dr Mimiko who, however, enthused that it was gratifying to note that the nation had enjoyed peace in the past year stressed the need for all and sundry to continue to live in peace and harmony in order to make Nigeria a great nation.

Imbibe spirit of charity, Oshiomhole pleads

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State also urged the Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of charity, forgiveness and sacrifice as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival. In his Sallah message, the governor said: “I wish the good people of Edo State and Nigeria the joy, peace and blessing of the season.

Eid-el-Kabir is an occasion to celebrate the love of God and to rekindle our faith in Almighty Allah. It is a season of charity, making peace, forgiveness and the celebration of our common humanity as God’s children. We must remember to fend for the poor, the disempowered and the needy in line with God’s injunction to be our brother’s keeper.”

Adekanmbi prays for peace

Also, a Labour Party aspirant in Ondo State, Olufemi Adekanmbi tasked Muslim faithful to continue to pray for the peaceful co-existence of the nation and the success of the forth coming General Elections.

Adekanmbi who is eyeing the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency said Nigerians without religion affiliations must all pray for the nation, stressing that the peace is key to the growth of any society.

Aliyu Mohammed Gusau

In his sallah message Presidential aspirant Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed Gusau said, “We should take prompt advantage of this unique occasion, which coincidentally is at the threshold of the coming elections, to conduct a sincere soul-searching and critical self-analysis on our contributions to our country and to humanity in general.

“These times, no doubt are grave, arising from the frightening challenges confronting the nation. Yet we must not despair, for these challenges should afford us the opportunity to come to terms with our present reality and encourage us to deploy the best of resources that Almighty God has endowed us with to overcome them”.

According to him, “the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir therefore must draw us closer to God, and spur us to avoid negative indices which could further stretch our tenuous socio-political and economic fabric to the limit. Let us avoid negative comments and actions which seriously run counter to values that promote the common good.

Let us avoid name-calling, negative campaigns, loud and empty promises which are hallmarks of depraved and debased political values. Instead, let us work together, in the spirit of brotherhood, to identify our innate goodness and exploit same for national greatness”.