…as Obaseki felicitates Muslims, harps on sacrifice, love
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday called on all Nigerians to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation.
Tinubu made the appeal in his message to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the first since his assumption of office as President, saying, “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire.”
Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, who conveyed Tinubu’s Eid message in a statement, noted that the President “felicitates the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan; a hallowed season which reflects total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind”.
“The President greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah,” Ngelale said in the statement titled ‘President Tinubu greets the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, calls for a union of will and action to build the nation’.
“The President prays that the lessons, blessings, and the joys of this season abide with us always while wishing Nigerians, Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations,” he said.
Similarly, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, felicitated Muslims in the state on the celebration of Eid-El-Fitr after the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
In his Eid-El Fitr message, Obaseki urged Muslim faithful not to relent but intensify prayers for the nation to overcome its current challenges.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I extend my warmest congratulations to you as we commemorate the Eid-el-Fitr after the successful completion of the Ramadan fast,” Obaseki said.
“As you celebrate this joyous occasion, I urge you to sustain the lessons of sacrifice and love learnt during the Ramadan fast. We are in very difficult times, and it would take a great deal of selflessness and love to be our brothers’ keeper. So, I urge you to go the extra mile in extending a hand of support to friends, relatives and acquaintances as we press on.
“I implore you to show compassion to one another, as taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W), especially at these trying times. Working and supporting each other, we can surmount our nation’s challenges. This is why it is pertinent to continue to pray and work towards building a progressive nation anchored on progressive ideals,” he said.
Recall that the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, had on Tuesday declared Wednesday, April 10th (today), as the day for Eid-El-Fitri.
The declaration followed the report of the National Moon Sighting Committees across the country which confirmed that the moon had not been sighted.
A statement signed by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, said the council accepted the report and accordingly declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.
Saudi Arabia had earlier declared that the crescent of Shawwal had not been sighted, indicating that the fasting would continue on Tuesday and Eid-el-Fitr would be on Wednesday.
With the new development, the Federal Government, which had earlier declared Tuesday and Wednesday as holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration, extended the public holiday to Thursday.
