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•Makinde, Adeleke, Oyetola, Bello, others greet Muslims, urge prayer for nation
By Suyi Ayodele, Muhammad Sabiu, Ishola Michael, Kola Oyelere and Adeolu Adeyemo with Agency Reports
THE president-elect, Senator Bola Tinubu, has asked Muslims to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, tolerance, compassion and generosity as they observe Ramadan fast.
Tinubu, in a statement in Abuja to congratulate the faithful on the commencement of Ramadan fast, said: “As we begin this year’s Ramadan fast, I bring warm greetings and congratulations to all Muslims who have received the grace of Almighty Allah to witness this holy month.”
He said Ramadan was more than a month of fasting.
“We fast to strengthen our relationship and appreciation of Allah. Fasting should be observed to make ourselves better servants of both Allah and our fellow man,” he said.
Tinubu said Ramadan was more than abstention from food and drink from dawn to dusk, saying that it must entail imbibing the spirit and true meaning behind the holy month.
He said: “We must keep hold of the excellent and wonderful things the holy month of Ramadan signifies.
“As we embark on fasting and spiritual reflection, let us proceed, imbued with the spirit of sacrifice, self-discipline, goodwill, justice, tolerance, mercy, compassion and generosity that lie at the heart of Islam.”
He urged the faithful to remember the country and its leaders in their prayers as they engaged in supplications to Allah during the fast.
Makinde felicitates
Muslims
Similarly, Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, felicitated Muslims in the state and across the country on the commencement of the holy month.
The governor urged the faithful to use the opportunity of the holy month to pray for Oyo State and Nigeria.
Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, admonished Muslims to imbibe the teachings contained in the Holy Qur’an regarding the blessed month, including showing kindness and generosity.
According to him, the month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual uplift and complete devotion to Allah and as such, Muslims should take full advantage of the holy month to strengthen their commitment to Allah and their service to humanity.
Adeleke, Oyetola, Babayemi counsel Muslims
Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, called on Muslims in the state to emulate the teachings of the holy month.
Governor Adeleke, in a statement in Osogbo, said: “I wish to remind Muslims in the state of the real essence of Ramadan as a period of self-reflection intended to deepen one’s spiritual growth and renew a sense of appreciation for the many blessings of God.
Also, the immediate past governor of the state, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, charged Muslims to take advantage of the holy month to strengthen their faith, seek closeness to Allah and attain taqwa (piety) which he said is the main essence of the fasting in this month.
Oyetola, who gave the charge in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, described Ramadan as a month of abundant blessings, mercy and forgiveness from Allah, and urged Muslims to use this period to intensify prayers for the growth and peace of the state and the nation at large.
Also, a former governorship aspirant in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Dotun Babayemi, urged Muslims across Nigeria to dedicate the Ramadan period to praying for the stability and prosperity of the country.
Increase assistance to the needy, orphans –Emir Ado Bayero
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, urged wealthy individuals to increase their assistance to the underprivileged as well as orphans in their midst during this Ramadan period
Alhaji Bayero explained that abundant rewards await people who spend their wealth for the sake of God on earth and hereafter.
The emir urged the faithful to intensify prayers and supplications for the peace and stability of the country.
Engage in acts of ibadah –Kogi gov
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, congratulated the Muslim ummah on the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast, urging the people to dedicate the season to praying fervently for the state and the country in general.
In a statement in Lokoja by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, Governor Bello charged Muslims to align themselves with the universal values of peace, kindness, love and respect for others which the Islamic faith promotes.
He noted that Ramadan, which is a globally revered month, should be utilised by the faithful across the nation to pray for progress and peace while admonishing them to engage in acts of ibadah.
Pray for peace,
development –Gombe gov
Also, Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, implored the Muslim ummah in the state and the entire citizenry to use the opportunity of the holy month to pray for the peace and development of the state and Nigeria.
In a statement by the Director-General (Press Affairs), Ismaila Uba Misilli, Governor Inuwa Yahaya stressed the need for all and sundry to play their roles in finding new directions towards fixing the problems bedevilling the country.
He particularly admonished Muslims to embrace piety as demanded of them during the month-long fast.
Niger gov congratulates Muslims
Niger State governor and chairman of the North Central States Governors Forum (NCSGF), Abubakar Sani Bello, called on Muslims to use the holy month to beseech Almighty Allah to continue to bless the country, unite its people, and bring peace and sustainable progress and development to the nation.
In a Ramadan message, Governor Sani Bello urged the faithful to be well-behaved during the holy month in order to maximise the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the month.
According to him, good intention, prayers and sincerity of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds are a necessary condition for reaping the benefits of the holy month.
Ayade tasks Muslims on peace, unity
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State asked Muslims to place peace and unity of Nigeria above any other thing as they commence the 30-day Ramadan fast.
Ayade, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, urged Muslims to “reflect on the teachings of Ramadan as one of the five pillars of Islam through acts of kindness, generosity, love, unity and support for the weak.
According to him, Ramadan is a period of spiritual uplift and devotion to Almighty Allah which the faithful should take advantage of.
Kano dep gov greets
Muslims
Kano State deputy governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, congratulated Muslims in the state and the entire country on the commencement of Ramadan fast.
Dr Gawuna, in a statement signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Musa Fagge, said: “As we commence the Ramadan fast, it is my prayer that we imbibe the holy month’s spiritual lessons and the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings of piety, love, equity, tolerance, peaceful-coexistence and dedication.”
Lawmaker-elect greets constituents
The House of Representatives member-elect for Kaduna South Federal Constituency, Malam Hussaini Abdulkarim Ahmed, called on his fellow constituents to showcase the virtues of Islam as Ramadan fast begins.
Ahmed, in a statement by his media aide, Sharifudeen Ibrahim, implored the Muslim ummah to co-exist peacefully with the non-Muslims.
CAN seeks prayer for peace
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Plateau State called for prayers for peace in Nigeria as Muslims began Ramadan fast.
The state chairman of CAN, Reverend Fr Polycarp Lubo, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.
Reverend Lubo said prayers were needed for peace in Nigeria, adding that it was crucial to shore up development.
He urged religious leaders to shun inciting messages that could cause insecurity in the country.
He wished the Muslim ummah a peaceful and rewarding moment in the holy month.
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