Advertisement

…Tinubu Reassures Security, Economic Reforms

President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have felicitated with Nigerian Muslims as they join other faithfuls around the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Advertisement

In their separate messages obtained by Pacesetter, the trio preached messages of hope for the country.

Tinubu in a statement entitled, “We Must Multiply Our Good Deeds”, personally signed by him on Tuesday, described Eid-el-Kabir as a festival of sacrifice and total obedience to Allah as exemplified in the exceptional action of Prophet Ibrahim.

While urging Muslim faithfuls to multiply good deeds with kindness to their fellow Muslims and others by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable, he noted that he’s aware of the security and economic challenges being faced by the country.

Advertisement

The President, however, assured that the problems are not insurmountable, adding that he’s working day and night with his team, fleshing out solutions, to reform the economy and remove all impediments to growth.

Tinubu said, “As we immerse ourselves in the joy of this moment and celebrate, let us remember those who may not be as fortunate like us. Coming as the end of religious activities spanning the first ten days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid-el-Kabir enjoins us as Muslims to show mercy and compassion to our fellow humans.

“There is no greater sense of duty ever recorded in history outside the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as sacrifice to Allah. The best way by which we can demonstrate this example is in how we conduct ourselves in relation to our fellow citizens and in our duties to our beloved country. We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahim’s life, namely; complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion.

“At the moment, our country is going through some challenges especially with our struggling economy and simmering security challenges. While I acknowledge all of these, I want to assure you that they are not insurmountable. I am working day and night with my team, fleshing out solutions. We have started with the decisions taken so far, to reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth. As we embrace the present challenges, we must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that our tomorrow shall be better and brighter. I wish you all a happy Sallah celebration.”

Advertisement

Atiku emphasises patience

On his part, Mr Atiku said the significance of the festival is “the profitability of being patient with God in our affairs as human beings, and most especially, as Muslims.”

He also enjoined Nigerians to follow the footsteps of the prophets, “especially Prophet Mohammed, which means that we must live our everyday life as a sacrifice, not just for our families, but the communities where we find ourselves.”

Advertisement

“Nigeria is currently in need of prayers. We must continue to ask God Almighty to show His blessings upon the country and to elevate Nigeria to a path of peace, harmony, and prosperity,” he added.

Peter Obi’s message of hope

Also, Mr Obi charged Nigerians not to allow the prevailing hardship and provocative attitudes of leaders in the country to affect their faith in God.

He urged Nigerians to devote themselves to the values that unite and bind all citizens in love while permanently putting behind all divisive tendencies.

He said: “An intense prayer for our dear country has become very necessary more than ever before as our nationhood is in dire need of divine intervention to survive.

“Our economy is already under severe stress, the currency is losing value daily, unemployment and inflation rising at unprecedented speed, and people living in multi-dimensional poverty are increasing by the day.”

Mr Obi therefore implored Muslims not to despair and “miss the essence and meaning of Eid-el-Kabir festivity and the divine succour it brings, assuring us that there is always a light at the end of eve ry tunnel because a new Nigeria is possible.”

Pacesetter/Premium Times/Arise News