Ibadan – As Nigerians join the rest of the world to observe the Eid-el-Fitr, political leaders and clerics have called on Muslims to replicate the lessons of the Ramadan in their lives while calling for peace and national cohesion.
Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Friday urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the values of Ramadan and ensure that they are continually manifested in their daily lives.
Amosun made the call in his message at the 2018 Eid -el- Fitr prayer held at the Lantoto Eid Praying Ground in Abeokuta.
The governor, who urged Muslims to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitr, said the Ramadan demands righteousness in all endeavours.
“During Ramadan, which is one of the important pillars of Islam, we were obliged to fast, shun evil actions, speak right and show love to one another.
“It also compels us to engage in deep spiritual reflection and I believe that if we all continue in this practice after Ramadan, it will be beneficial to us both as individuals and as a nation
“Above all, we should not draw back in our devotion to Allah because this is our ultimate responsibility,” he said
The Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu, in his sermon at the event urged wealthy Muslims to help the less privileged.
Orunsolu attributed the violence in parts of the country to poverty, added that “the gap between the poor and the rich is too wide.’’
He stressed the need for privileged Nigerians to be sources of blessings to others for sustainable peace in the country.
Alhaji Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede, the Chief Imam of Akureland, on his part, blamed politicians for causing the senseless religious killings and lack of trust among Muslims and Christians.
Yayi-Akorede stated this after leading thousands of Muslim faithful in the two-rakat prayer to mark the Eld – el-Fitri on Friday in Akure.
“Muslims and Christians as well as herdsmen and farmers had been cohabiting peacefully for many years in all parts of the country.
” I am wondering why politicians are allegedly sponsoring disaffections among Muslims and Christians and herdsmen and farmers in recent time through unguided campaigns and hate speeches,” he said.
In Ibadan, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, urged Nigerians to promote ethnic and religious harmony.
Buhari(APC-Oyo North) urged Muslims not to deviate from their commitment and relationship with Allah as they displayed during the Ramadan.
“We have all shown commitment to the Allah’s commandment during Ramadan. We have during the period embraced righteous deeds as commanded by Allah.
“These reflected in our day to day activities and dealings with other people, especially non Muslims around us. All of these we should continue as Ramadan ends,” he said.
Federal lawmakers, Rep. Abiodun Olasupo and Rep. Dapo Lam-Adesina urged Muslims to uphold and sustain the virtues of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace religious and ethnic harmony.
The duo implored Nigerians to be prayerful in the face of daunting socio-economic challenges in the country.
Olasupo(APC-Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa) called on Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammed’s virtue of piety, tolerance, peace and compassion.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, urged Nigerians to embrace ethnic and religious harmony.
“We have observed Ramadan with utmost commitment to the injunctions and we must ensure that we do not deviate from such after the period,” he said.
Lam-Adesina(APC- Ibadan North East/South East Federal) called on Muslims to sustain the values and virtues of the Ramadan.
Dr Olusola Ayandele, a businessman and governorship aspirant in Oyo State, also called on Nigerians to embrace peace, love and tolerance.
Ayandele felicitated with Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan, saying it was another spiritual rebirth as well as a good opportunity to serve Allah and humanity better.
“The 1439 A.H Ramadan fast may have come and gone but the sacrifices made by a good number of our Muslim brothers and sisters must have renewed their spiritual status.
“This should enable them to be more committed to the cause of Allah, nationhood and humanity as a whole.
“To this end, it imperative for every citizen of the country to dwell more on issues that unite us and do away with those with tendencies to divide us as a people,’’ he said.
Yomi Adefusi, the Chairman, Ibadan West LCDA, charged Muslims not to relent in their supplications and prayers as being practised during Ramadan.
He urged the people to pray fervently to seek God’s intervention to the country’s challenges.
NAN reports that Muslims in their thousands on Friday had observed the prayers at the various eid praying grounds in the state.
Some worshippers had, however, observed the prayer at the Central Eid praying ground located at Agodi in Ibadan on Thursday.
The Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji AbdulGaniy Abubakry, had led the prayers in defiance to the moon sighting standard.
In attendance at Thursday’s eid prayers were Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji as well as Aare Musulumi of Ibadan, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade.
A youth leader, Blessing Akinlosotu, also joined millions of Nigerians to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr.
Akinlosotu, in a statement on Friday in Akure prayed God for the release to the nation of all the benefits and rewards of the season.
He used the opportunity to advise youths to shun any act that could truncate the peaceful coexistence in the country.
“It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid Mubarak and good wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the country.
“I pray that Allah in his infinite mercies accept the prayers, fasting and worship done before, during and after the holy month.
“The holy month of Ramadan is instrumental in strengthening our bond with God and improving relations between the rich and poor.
” It also generates the values of tolerance and compassion and brings peace and happiness to our mind,” he said.
Akinlosotu, who is contesting for the presidential position of National Youth Council of Nigeria, promised to initiate developmental strategies that would improve the chances of youths seeking elective positions.
(NAN)