By Akeem Abas
Ibadan – The Chief Imam of Ibadan, AbdulGaniy Abubakri, has urged Muslims to embrace love, peace, perseverance and total re-dedication to God as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.
He made the plea on Monday in a sermon delivered at the Eid praying ground, Agodi, Ibadan.
Abubakri said that development thrives only in an atmosphere where peace and harmony exist.
He called on Nigerians to fervently pray for the nation’s prosperity while urging the country’s leadership to re-dedicate themselves to God as a way out of the current economic hardship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State had led members of the State Executive Council to observe the two obligatory (rakaats) prayers.
Ajimobi, in an interview, called for attitudinal change among the citizenry, saying the revival of the nation’s economy was a collective responsibility.
He urged the people to learn from the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir, which he said emphasised sacrifice, fulfilment of promises and total rededication to God.
“Our people should learn to sacrifice in order to get such in return. This celebration
provides an opportunity for everybody to reflect on the way forward in the country.
“The significance of Eid-el-Kabir was fulfilment of promises made. We urge the political leaders in the country to ensure they fulfill all the promises made to the people before they were elected,” he said.
In a separate interview, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun and Mr Abas Najimdeen, the Caretaker Chairmen of Ibadan NorthWest and South-East Local Government Councils respectively, urged Nigerians to persevere.
The duo called on the people to support President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ajimobi administration in bringing about the desired change.
Hon. Kehinde Subair, the Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the present administration.
Dignitaries at the praying ground included the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, a former Secretary to the State Government in Oyo State, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, and the Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo,
Others were the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji as well as Rep. Saheed Fijabi and Rep. Dapo Lam-Adeshina.
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