As Nigerians joined other Muslim faithful to celebrate the Ed-el-Kabir on Wednesday, the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe III, has called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency construct more railway lines across the states of the federation.
The Otaru made this call while speaking with journalists during this year’s Ed-el-Kabir celebration at the Arafat prayer ground in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.
He said as a member of the committee selected by former Military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, in 1988 to look into Nigerian railways, he was aware that railway holds the key to the survival of the country and the cheapest means of transportation anywhere in the world.
The royal father added that if nothing was done as recommended by the committee in 1989, Nigerian roads would continue to get worse.
He further stated that the country is faced with transportation problem and if nothing is done on the railway lines, the problem will still continue.
Speaking on the celebration of Ed-el-Kabir, the Otaru said, “A good Muslim doesn’t lie, doesn’t do anything that is forbidden in Islam. By this, the society would be a better place to live in.”
In his sallah sermon, the Chief Iman of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, Prof. Zakariyau Oseni, called on all Muslim faithful to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God.
Speaking in a sermon titled “Focused on the imperative of emulation”, the Chief Imam said Prophet Ibrahim was one of the greatest prophets and messengers of Allah, a personification of faith and a righteous servant of Allah.
“Ibrahim was very faithful to Allah to a point that Allah took him as friend. We should note that he was extremely patient and he and his son exhibited this when he was instructed to slaughter his son for Allah’s sake,” he said.
Prof. Oseni therefore called on the people to emulate Prophet Ibrahim in their daily lives as faithful votaries of Allah.
Other Muslims faithful spoke on the significance of the Ed-el-Kabir celebration as sacrifice and giving to the less privileged.
