IBADAN – Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Sunday urged Muslims faithful and other Nigerians to reflect on the essence of the holy month of Ramadan and its message of tolerance and forgiveness.
He made the call in a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, on the occasion of the Ramadan celebrations.
Ajimobi said the month-long Ramadan was meant to affirm that even as mortals, man could move towards perfection through denial of the desires of the flesh which would in turn lead to purity of the soul.
He urged Muslims imbibe the lessons of Ramadan by ensuring that they are guided by the quest to do good to their fellowman as well as tolerate one another.
“The moment Nigerians are tolerant of the human limitations of the other person through seeing everyone as creation of God, all the vices that threaten to tear the country apart will be eliminated,” he said.[eap_ad_1]
Ajimobi urged the people of the state to continue to exhibit disdain for violence and brigandage which they have demonstrated in the last three years of his administration.
He said the people of Oyo State had sent a message to the whole world that the profiling of the state as a hotbed of violence was misplaced.
“Peace is what has opened doors of prosperity to our state; we all know what this state was when it was ruled by fear and bloodshed.
“I urge all of us to pray for continued peace in Oyo State; when we all live in peace, development and prosperity will come our way,’’ the governor said.
In the same vein, the governor’s wife, Florence, in a message, signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, urged residents to continue to pray for peace in the state.
“I pray that the grace following the Holy Month of Ramadan will be upon everyone in Oyo State.’’
She commended residents, especially women, for being peace-loving and allowing the fear and love of God to reflect in their interactions.
She urged them to fight against every force that might want to distabilise the peace in the state. (NAN)[eap_ad_4]
