As Muslims Mark Eid-Maulud, Leaders Call for Unity

Eid-Maulud

Our Correspondents

Some state governors and other political leaders across the country yesterday congratulated the Muslim faithfuls as they celebrated Eid-El-Maulud, which marked the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

The leaders in separate statements stressed the need for unity and tolerance among Nigerians, even as they prayed for peace and love among Nigerians.

Sanwo-Olu Urges Muslims to Emulate Prophet Mohammed

In Lagos, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill message to commemorate the celebration of Maolud Nabiy yesterday asked Nigerians, particularly Muslims to emulate the life and good virtues of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians and Muslims in particular to continue to tow the path of peace for the sustainable development of Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to embrace peace, harmony and tolerance in line with the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), adding that Muslims should remain tolerant and continue to work in harmony with other religious denominations for a peaceful and violence-free society.

He also advised Muslims to seize the opportunity of the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to strengthen their love towards one another and make the society a better place by eschewing tendencies that could tamper with the unity and stability in the country.

“I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in Lagos State and in Nigeria happy Maolud Nabiy, which is the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

“Lagos is noted for religious harmony, therefore, I want to enjoin Muslims to continue to be tolerant of other religious denominations as they’ve always been in the State. The Muslim faithful in Lagos State should continue to live in peace and harmony with believers of other faiths,” he said.

Obaseki Harps on Tolerance, Peaceful Coexistence

On his part, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki called for tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in the spirit of the Eid-El-Maulud celebrations.

In a statement in commemoration of Eid-El-Maulud, the governor described the celebration as a time of deep reflection and soul-searching.

He said: “I join our Muslim brothers and sisters in Edo State in celebrating the birth of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) as we mark this year’s Eid-El-Maulud. The celebration is a time of deep reflection and soul-searching, especially with the challenges we currently face as a nation. The Eid-El-Maulud celebration offers us the opportunity to ponder on the importance of peaceful coexistence and tolerance. The prophet’s message of peace and good neighbourliness should inspire us all to see each other as partners in progress, regardless of religious, tribal, ethnic and political affiliations.”

“Muslims constitute a major force for peace and progress wherever they are and have always upheld the import of the Prophet’s teachings,” he noted.

Obaseki added: “The spirit of the Eid-El-Maulud celebration should guide us in working together and with a common drive to build strong coalitions that will entrench development and progress in our state.”

He assured all that that his administration will remain committed to ensuring the welfare and peaceful co-existence of all residents.

“Edo State will continue to consolidate on policies which foster religious harmony among members of different religious groups, as always,” he said.

Emulate Shinning Virtues of Prophet Muhammad, Oyetola Tells Muslims

Similarly, Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, enjoined the Muslim faithful to use the opportunity of this celebration to reflect on the lessons and teachings of the Prophet, whom he said, led a life of service to Allah and humanity.

Oyetola also urged them to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s shining virtues of love, compassion, tolerance and promotion of peaceful co-existence, noting that if they do this, the society will be much better.

He also called on Muslims in Osun and all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for the peace, stability, progress and development of Osun in particular and the country in general.

Sule Urges for Reflection on Prophet Mohammad’s Qualities

Also, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State urged Muslim ummah in the state to reflect on the many sterling qualities and exemplary life of the Prophet Mohammad (SAW).

Sule gave the urge in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ibrahim Addra.

According to the governor, “Prophet Mohammad (SAW) left behind lessons in compassion, honesty, obedience to Allah’s commandments and fairness to all manners of people, amongst others.”

He therefore, called for tolerance and continuous love for one another as ingredients to peaceful coexistence which, according to the governor, “will invariably lay the foundation for the much desired development of the society.”

The Nasarawa State chief security officer, however, insisted that citizens of the state must do all within their powers to sustain the prevailing peace in the state. This was even as he promised to continue to provide fair, inclusive and sincere leadership in the quest to reposition the state.

Sule concluded by reminding people of the state to be vigilant and continue to observe the COVID-19 protocol as a way of checkmating the pandemic.

Gombe Gov Enjoins Muslims to Draw Inspiration from Prophet Muhammad

In his goodwill message, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe urged Muslims to use the occasion to draw lessons and inspiration from the virtues of service, peaceful co-existence and exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( SAW).

Governor Inuwa also admonished the Muslim Ummah to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, humility, modesty and generosity as exemplified by the life and times Prophet Muhammad ( SAW).

“As we commemorate this great and epochal day, I enjoin us to continue to demonstrate in our lives, what the noble messenger of Allah bequeathed to humanity in ethos, manners and relationships for the good of the society, “ he said.

The governor sued for continued prayers for the peace, well-being and prosperity of the state and the nation at large.

“The celebration of Maulud should also renew our faiths and increase our tempo in coming together as a people of common destiny to pray for unity, peace, progress and stability of our dear state and the nation for us to attain our aspirational growth and development,” he said.

The governor urged both leaders and the led to give their best for the overall peace, unity, development and prosperity of the society.

Governor Yahaya, who emphasized the need for tolerance among the diverse people of the state, regardless of their differences, urged them to continue to be law abiding and guard jealously the relative peace and tranquility Gombe State is enjoying by shunning all acts capable of jeopardizing same.

Makinde Calls for Unity, Tolerance as Muslims Celebrate

In the same vein, Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace unity of purpose, virtues of kindness, humility, and peaceful co-existence exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) be emulated.

The governor explained that on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Maulud, which is observed annually by Muslims all over the world to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Muslims must reflect on the life of selflessness and piety, which the Holy Prophet lived.

Makinde said: “Peaceful co-existence is part of Islamic ethics taught by the life of Prophet Muhammad. As a leader in Medinah, he did not only live peacefully with others but was just to them irrespective of different tribal and religious affiliations. One of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad is good neighbourliness, as neighbours remained the closest allies and being kind to them would bring about harmonious living.”

The governor, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the celebration of the Holy Prophet’s birthday, also explained that the virtues of service and exemplary leadership as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammed should be imbibed by all mankind.

He commended the Muslim community in Oyo State for their continued support, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and support for his government, even as he urged them to use the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s birth to reflect on the essential lessons of his life.

He also urged them to pray for the continued wellbeing of Oyo State and the nation in general.

Stop Using Islam to Perpetrate Evil Niger Governor Advises Muslims

Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, advised Muslims to stop using Islam to perpetrate evil saying Islam is a religion of peace.

Bello, in his message to Muslims to mark this year’s Eid-el Maulud, the birth of prophet Mohammed, “regretted the attitude of some miscreants who use the religion of Islam as a facade to perpetrate heinous crimes” saying everything should be done to bring this to an end.

“The Muslim Ummah must rise up against all those promoting violence and insecurity in the country” the governor said adding that: “only genuine love and an enduring social equilibrium can frustrate the spread of violent ideologies in the society.”

The governor noted that “imbibing the spirit of love, patience, perseverance, humility, honesty, generosity and above all putting others first would guarantee peace, unity and Nigeria would be a better place to live in.”

According to him, humanity is fast losing its essence because of the obvious disregard to religious teachings and practice, maintaining that “Prophet Muhammad and indeed Islam preaches peace, tolerance, unity and cohesion”.

The governor restated his administration’s resolve to continue to execute people oriented projects in the state stressing that “the APC-led administration remains focused in its service delivery to the citizenry”.

He then congratulated Muslim faithful for witnessing this year’s Eid-el Maulud celebration and prayed for unity and peaceful coexistence, progress and development of the state in particular and the country in general.

In a similar message the Special Adviser Political and Strategy to the Governor Alhaji Nma Kolo admonished Muslims to continue to live in peace with one another and even members of other religions.

Kolo in the message made available to newsmen noted the relative peace in hitter to bandits affected areas of the state and attributed this to the steps taken by the state government and the efforts of the security agency.

He therefore, urged all peace loving people to continue to give absolute support to the government and the security agencies in order to permanently surmount insecurity in the state.

Omo-Agege: Nigeria Needs Prayer To Overcome Its Challenges

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, also called on Nigerians to renew their faith in God and intensify prayers for the country to surmount its challenges.

In his goodwill message, Omo-Agege urged Muslim faithful to use the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s birthday to deepen love, patience and perseverance. While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Maulud Nabiyya celebration, the ranking Senator noted that the challenges facing the nation would better be confronted if such qualities were imbibed by all.

He urged the Muslim community to use the occasion to reflect on the essential lessons of the prophet’s life and pray for sustained peace in the country.

His words: “I call on Muslims to embrace the exemplary conduct of Prophet Muhammad so as to ensure the growth and development of the country. They should also imbibe peaceful co-existence with people of other faith”.

FCT Minister Urges Residents to Embrace Patience, Tolerance

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, urged Muslims in the FCT to adhere to the cardinal principle of peace upon which the religion of Islam is built.

The minister equally enjoined all Muslim faithful and other residents of the FCT to join Nigerians from across the country to reflect deeply on the role they can play individually and collectively to build a nation of which they can be proud.

As the nation inches closer to increased political activities, the minister appealed to the residents to recognise that resorting to violence or promotion of anarchy has never, and will never resolve social or political variances.

“Therefore, there is the need for us to imbibe the true meaning and virtues of sacrifice, patience, tolerance and fellowship in our relationships and dealings with fellow residents and all Nigerians,” he said.

He also urged residents to always embrace dialogue in settling differences and reject attempts by unpatriotic individuals or groups to incite unrest which he said is always counter-productive.

He reminded residents that the FCT was built on a foundation of unity and tolerance for all Nigerians, and emphasized that as residents, they are obliged to imbibe and practice these principles.

AbdulRazaq Tasks Kwara Muslims on Legacies of Prophet Muhammad

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also enjoined Muslim faithful in the state to reflect on the messages and character of Prophet Muhammad.

Speaking in Ilorin yesterday at the annual commemoration of the birth anniversary of the Prophet, the governor urged Muslims to be their brother’s keeper, saying such will promote peace and sustainable development.

The event was organised by the Kwara State Muslim Council under the headship of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, cabinet members, Islamic scholars, religious organisations; and school children who did march-past.

He said: “As we mark the anniversary of this epoch, I appeal to everyone to reflect on the message of the prophet. Especially important are what Allah and history recorded of the excellent character of the noble prophet. Let us strive to walk in the shadows of the prophet.

“If we do this, peace and sustainable development will envelope our world. This is because we will see and treat ourselves as brothers and avoid things that can tear us apart, subjugate or hurt one another under whatever guise.

“As an administration, we strive to be fair to every segment of the society in the belief that all of us are from Adam and Adam is from dust. We make no negative distinctions on the basis of faith or class. This is why our programmes executed with public funds are blind to political divides.”

AbdulRazaq, who congratulated the Muslim community, the Emir of Ilorin and the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) and entire people of Kwara State on the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, said history has always confirmed the prophet’s place as the greatest man to ever live and urged the faithful to take after him.

Chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Council and former Grand Khadi Justice Salihu Olohuntoyin Muhammed urged the Muslim ummah to sustain the good legacies left behind by the first Sarkin Malami of Ilorin by living in peace with adherents of other faiths.

In their separate sermons, Mudiru Markaz Sheikh Habibulahi Adam and the National Missioner Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdulMumin Ayara called on adherents of both Islam and Christianity to embrace peace and tolerate one another, adding that neither prophet Muhammad nor Issa (Jesus) preached violence or disunity.

Sheikh Habibulahi identified love for materialism as an impediment to spiritual growth and good morals in our society, charging all clerics to tailor their sermons towards instilling religious discipline and acceptable conduct in their congregations.

“Our religious leaders have roles to play in promoting peace and religious tolerance. Let us celebrate diversity in unity and celebrate unity in diversity.

“ Let us eschew materialism and go back to pristine belief in God. Our society is today marred with social vices because we condone materialism and lack morals. We need to retrace our steps,” he added.