The insurgency crisis in Nigeria must be seen and confronted as a major challenge to the nation’s collective wellbeing in all ramifications and it is time the political class look beyond political differences and redirect state structures and machineries at their disposal to secure the country, its citizens and all its legal residents.
The statement was made by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Abdulwahed Omar while wishing all Muslim and Nigerians in general a happy sallah celebration on behalf of the NLC.
Omar expressed belief that after a month of spiritual renewal during the month of Ramadan, all Islamic faithfuls would have got closer to Almighty Allah and acquired deeper knowledge not only about the religion and its doctrines but also about humanity and the contemporary challenges of the world.
He enjoin all Muslims across world to take a lifetime observance of all the lessons learnt during the period and continue to humble themselves before Allah with conscious service to the upliftment of humanity.
“All Nigerians, no matter what class, creed, ethnic, religious or political space we belong should rededicate themselves to a strong, united and vibrant Nigeria that will be our collective pride,” Omar said. “Though we face several challenges at the moment, but it is our belief that none of these challenges can weaken our zeal for peace, collective progress and a stronger country that is united in all ramifications.”
He maintained that it is un-Islamic hate anyone as part of the same human race regardless of racial, class, ethnic, political or religious backgrounds.
“This is what strengthens the labour movement across the world and we believe all other segments of the society, particularly the Nigerian society, can be strengthened by adopting our commitment to unbridled commonality in purpose and focus.”
He called on all groups perpetrating violence in the country to lay down their arms and embrace the path of peace.
“We call on government at every levels; federal, state and local governments as well as all arms of government to recommit themselves to good governance.
“We believe when those in government put the collective interests of our people before all other interests, we will overcome some of the major challenges to our collective development,” he said.
In his own message, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, congratulated the Muslim Umah on the successful completion of fasting. He also charged the insurgents to sheath their sword in adherence to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.
In a press release signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun admonished adherents of Islam to continue praying for peace and stability of the nation, particularly during this trying period.
Amosun noted that lslam is a religion of peace and enjoined those behind the bombings in parts of the country to stop it in the spirit of the season.
“As Muslims, we must not allow the significance of the season to be lost on us. We have fasted and prayed in the Holy month for Nigeria so that the nation can overcome its current challenges. I enjoin you all to continue to demonstrate this spirituality as you support and show love to one another,” Amosun said.
In Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the state’s governor has urged the people to take advantage of the opportunity of a new beginning offered by the conclusion of the Ramadan fast, to usher in a new era of peace and progress in the country. He asserted that this will enable the nation be the best for its numerous deposits of potentials.
Mimiko called for more dedication to the Nigeria project.
“The long period of self restraint and self purification was a great spiritual exercise that should not be allowed to come and go in vain,” he said. “We must allow for the impact of the just concluded spiritual exercise on our nation because we cannot afford to remain the same. The spiritual exercise should usher in the rebirth of Nigerians for a more peaceful and enviable Nigeria nation”
He congratulated the Muslims for the Sallah festivities and called on Nigerians as a whole irrespective of their religious leaning to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, love and good neighbourliness among themselves as enshrined in the Holy books.
Governor – Elect of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has also congratulated Muslims in the country and Ekiti State in particular for the Id el Fitr celebration.
According to a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor- Elect, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Fayose urged the Muslims to put the lessons of the Ramadan into use so that peace, love and unity can endure in the country.
He observed that the nation was passing through a difficult period which requires divine intervention to put an end to the incessant blood-letting in the land. therefore he enjoined the Muslims to sustained the ideals of Ramadan and to emulate Prophet Mohammed’s way of life.
He thanked the Muslims in Ekiti State for voting for him, urging them to continue to pray for the state.
In Ibadan, the Wife of the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Mrs Florence Ajimobi (JP), in her own Eid-al-Fitr message, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the residents of Oyo state and prayed for continuous peace in the state.
In the Eid greeting signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, Ajimobi prayed that Almighty Allah should grant the heart desires of the state’s residents at the end of the Holy Month and give them bountiful blessings as well as uncountable reports of goodwill.
“May the power of this Holy Eid al Fitr bring lots of happiness in our life and may we celebrate more of this as a people and a state in the peace of Allah,” she said. “I pray that the blessings associated with Ramadan, a month dedicated to fasting, prayer and helping the poor will not elude us all.”
She thanked every resident in the state for their unflinching support for the administration of Senator Isiak Abiola Ajimobi especially the various groups and individual that left their homes to break the fast with the governor and state executive council at the Government House during the 30 day fast.
She commended Oyo state residents especially women for being peace loving people that have allowed the fear and love of God reflect in their interactions and urged them united against every force that may want to destabilise the peace within the state.
