Pope Francis in a statement to Muslims world-wide urged mutual respect between them and Christians.
In a message on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President noted that as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitri and the end of Ramadan, they should continue to support his administration.
The message said: “President Jonathan seizes the opportunity of the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations to reassure all Nigerians of his resolute commitment to overcoming all distractions and delivering on his promise of good governance and national transformation.
“The President assures Nigerians that his administration will continue working tirelessly to build on the firm foundations for sustainable national development which it has already established in key areas such as public infrastructure, power supply, roads, transportation, aviation, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth employment and electoral reform.
“President Jonathan also urges other elected officials at all levels of governance to avoid overheating the polity with unnecessary ethnic and political intrigues, and give the highest priority to fulfilling their promises of better living conditions for the electorate first, before turning their minds to plans and permutations for future elections.”
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) also enjoined Muslims to sustain the ideals of Ramadan beyond the fast.
The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who made the call in Minna in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, urged Muslims to remain steadfast in the worship of Allah and to follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as they did during Ramadan.
It said the end of Ramadan should not mean an end to the virtues of benevolence, good neighbourliness and tolerance which in the last one month characterised Muslims’ private and public life.
The forum called on Nigerians to use the period to pray to Allah to provide solutions to the security challenges facing the nation.
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and prayed God to accept the supplications made by the faithful during the period.
“The Ramadan fast has afforded us the opportunity to reconnect with our Creator and extend the hands of fellowship to our fellow men.
“However, as we celebrate, we should not forget the lessons learnt, to wit, the spirit of piety, alms-giving, of compassion and love for fellow men.”
To ensure easy movement during the Eid-el-Fitri, the Lagos State government is to provide a free bus ride to residents today and tomorrow. The free bus ride, according to separate statements issued by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Managing Director of LAGBUS, Tunde
Disu, will in particular enable Muslim faithful have easy access to different praying centres across the state.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi congratulated the Muslim faithful in the state on the conclusion of Ramadan, and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri.
The governor urged Muslims to continue with the spirit of love, joy and good neighbourliness that characterised the holy month.
Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed urged Moslem faithful to make enduring the lessons of kindness, fear of God, spirit of sharing with the less-privileged imbibed during the month.
According to him, if Muslims do not make the lessons of Ramadan a lasting experience through sustained devotion to God, upholding the teachings of the Quran and the Holy Prophet, the fast would be an exercise in futility.
Arewa Elders and the Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, urged all Nigerians to work together for the promotion of the nation’s unity and the end of the insurgency in the North.
In a statement yesterday, ACF enjoined Muslims to make the spirit of purification, forgiveness and mercy associated with the fast during Ramadan “to outlive the period and prevail in the daily lives of the faithful for the glory of God and for humanity now and for eternity.”
Others who issued statements to mark the Eid-el-Fitri included Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, his Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, David Cameron and Foreign Secretary, William Hague.
Cameron and Hague in a joint statement by Head of Press and Public Affairs Section, British High Commission, Abuja, Rob Fitzpatrick, expressed their warmest wishes.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has urged his men to double their efforts in providing adequate security in the country, just as he directed that roads should be free of blockades.
While sending out goodwill messages to all Muslim faithful in the country, he “ordered water-tight security across the country”, and directed all commissioners of police “to adequately deploy their personnel to guarantee free-flow of traffic and safe passage for all travellers and other road users.”
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the IGP also said: “Highway patrol teams, working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, are equally directed to take adequate measures in preventing road accidents and rendering assistance to travellers, particularly those in distress.”
Culled from The Guardian Newspaper
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