By Ise-Oluwa Ige, Olasunkasnmi Akoni & Wahab Abdullah

ABUJA -  PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua yesterday declared that Nigeria could only overcome its numerous challenges including the hydra-headed problem of corruption if those in positions of authority have the fear of God.

Yar’Adua spoke in his Aso Rock residenceyesterday while receiving a delegation of government functionaries and political office holders who paid him an Eid-el-Fitri (Sallah) homage.

The delegation was led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Adamu Aliero.

Also at the Presidential Villa to pay homage were Vice President Goodluck Jonathan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole with other muslim faithfull during the Ed-el-fitri prayers yesterday, in Abuja.

Others are the Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo; Chief of Army Staff, Adulrahman Danbazzau; Edo state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Osita Chidoka; ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and other top government officials.

The President said “I call on Nigerians and Muslims to fear Allah because that is the first great achievement of any human being and I hope this fear of Allah will lead us to help our fellow countrymen and to contribute our own quota to the development of Nigeria and humanity.

“It is this fear of Allah that will drive those whom Allah has bestowed with power over administration or the mind of others or over knowledge and wisdom, to make them reflect and ensure that the trust bestowed upon them by Allah is not betrayed.

“I pray Allah to guide those of us who are leaders in politics, business, religion, military, indeed, all Nigerians to reflect on their responsibilities and discharge these responsibilities with the fear of Allah”, said Yar’Adua.

President Yar’Adua also challenged his guests to work hard and transparently in response to the needs of the youths in the society who must be guided to channel their energies and academic endowments to positive results.

He also said that the lessons learnt during the 30-day fasting should not be lost on the people, saying, “I hope the lessons learnt during this month will increase our worth.”

The FCT Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero, in his remarks, thanked God for the success of the Ramadan fast, while hoping that “we are among the 70,000 people that Allah has promised automatic ticket to paradise”.

He also prayed for peace and stability to continue to reign in Nigeria and thanked the President for supporting the development efforts in the FCT.

Prayer, sacrifice ‘ll grow economy —VP

Also, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that the nation’s economy has the capacity to grow fast if Nigerians could make sacrifice, eschew corruption and be prayerful at all times.

He spoke in Abuja in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

He urged Nigerians to resolve to make meaningful sacrifices that will liberate the nation from all forms of lack, noting that the present generation of Nigerians cannot afford to pass on what they can achieve to future generations.

According to him, “More than ever, all Nigerians should be fervent in faith and prayers for the attainment of our collective aspiration to grow our economy towards being among the top twenty in the world by 2020.

“No doubt, our commitment in prayers, and the exercise of our faith will propel us to good works for the attainment of this noble vision.

“While we strive to put our nation on the path to greatness, we must eschew corruption and vain glory. We must not wane in good works.

A cross section of all the Muslims at the National stadium in Lagos, yesterday

“The more developed nations are made up of people. If they did it, we can do it. We cannot afford to pass on what we can do to future generations of Nigerians, but should bequeath to them a nation better than we met it.

“In the pursuit of our collective aspirations therefore, I call on all Nigerians to make meaningful sacrifices that will liberate us from all forms of lack, and engender greater unity among our peoples.”

While wishing the nation joyous and peaceful Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, the VP also urged Nigerians to embrace peace, saying “we should pursue peace with all our might, and resist all vices that militate against our peaceful co-existence.”

Low-key celebration in Lagos
Meanwhile, Muslim faithful in Lagos State started filling out in their numbers  to their respective praying grounds as early as 8:00am yesterday

Most of the fun spots were however deserted as many people remained indoors after the eid prayers to celebrate with their families.

Former governor of the State, Senator Bola Tinubu, in his Eid-el-Fitri message called for love and compassion among Nigerians, saying the spirit of Ramadan deserves no less.

He said Ramadan was unique, since it was a leveler; and the closest demonstration in Islam to a universal and egalitarian human family.