Eid-el-Fitr: Governors, others urge Muslims to remain virtuous

By Our Reporters

Governors across the country on Sunday felicitated with Muslims on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr at the end of 30 days of Ramadan fasting.

They urged the Muslims to continue with the steadfastness, sacrifice, good neighbourliness, peace and humility they imbibed throughout the fasting period.

The Federal Government, last week, declared Monday and Tuesday as public holiday for the celebration of the Muslim yearly festival.

The states’ chief executives also urged the Muslim Ummah to pray for the end of COVID-19 pandemic so that the nation can return to normal life for socio-political and economic development.

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai lauded the patience and understanding Muslims displayed while fasting under lockdown.

Also, the senator representing Kaduna Central, Malam Uba Sani, urged Muslims to pray for healing of their communities against bloodletting.

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In an Eid-el-Fitr message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, the Kaduna State governor “praised the spirit of sacrifice and resilience displayed by the Muslim community during the fasting period and called for continued adherence to public health guidelines to protect citizens from COVID-19”.

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni urged Muslims to continue to imbibe the lessons of the fasting period.

“As a people, we have every reason to be thankful to Allah (SWT) for the gift of life and good health to witness this day.

“Recently, we were faced with a challenge. We have individually and collectively lost loved ones; we pray Allah (SWT) to grant them eternal rest in Al-Janat Firdaous and, to their relations, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said in his Sallah broadcast message to the residents.

Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu advised the Muslim Ummah to sustain the noble lessons they learnt during Ramadan to outlive the period.

In his Sallah message on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, he said: “These lessons include patience, perseverance, piety, philanthropy and good neighbourliness.”

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki said: “…The holy month of Ramadan was an opportunity for our Muslim brothers and sisters to deepen their relationship with Allah, promote a life of sacrifice, charity and love for one another. There is no better time to show love and togetherness than now, when we are joining forces in battling a common enemy. This is why it is remarkable that the bond among our people grew amid these very difficult times.”

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade called for peace, love, and unity among Nigerians.

In a statement to Muslims by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, the governor said: “Ramadan is a month of sacrifice, abstinence, and above all, love and care for humanity. I encourage you all to be your brother’s keeper.

“Look out for your neighbour in the firm belief that he too will look out for you and, most importantly, always use your face masks while going out to contain the spread of COVID-19 disease.”

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) urged Muslims to continue with the spirit of sacrifice and sanctity they practised during the fasting period.

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom implored Muslims and other Benue residents to adhere to preventive measures, such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, the use of alcohol-based sanitisers and hand-washing with soap, to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

The governor’s Eid-el-Fitr message was signed by his Chief Press Secretary Terver Akase.

A former Commissioner for Public Transportation in Lagos State and the Balogun-General of Epe, Chief Lanre Razak, also urged Muslims and other Nigerians to always imbibe the virtues of piety, holiness, forgiveness, peace and fear of Allah in their conducts.

He expressed support for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s proposed gradual re-opening of the state’s economy as part of measures to easing earlier restrictions following the outbreak of the Coronavirus