The Christian Association of Nigeria has greeted President Muhammadu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saa’d Abubakar, and all Muslims in Nigeria on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
The President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, in a congratulatory message he issued on Sunday on behalf of all Christians in Nigeria, prayed that the joy of the celebration would endure for all.
He said, “May the spirit of the season enlarge your capacity to treasure our relationship and secure for us all a prosperous, safe and more secure Nigeria founded on love and sacrifice.
“Although we are in trying times economically in Nigeria, you must all have the trust that the same God that provided a ram for Abraham in the barren desert is going to provide for you and meet all your needs, not only in the time of this celebration but beyond.
“If you cannot afford to celebrate with what you desire this year, trust God that next year will be better.
“Let us seize this opportunity to pray for peace, unity and progress of our fatherland, President (Muhammadu) Buhari and the government of the day to be able to lead us to better days ahead.
“We should also seize the opportunity to share the love of God with one another and be at peace with one another.”
Also, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged Muslims in the country to avail themselves the opportunity for sober reflection and spiritual renewal which, he said, the Eid-el-Kabir festival offered them.
The minister urged Muslims not to lose sight of the lessons of perseverance, sacrifice and loyalty which Eid-el-Kabir taught and called on them to do everything in moderation as they celebrated.
Fayemi said this on Sunday in his Eid-el-Kabir goodwill message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode.
He also urged the Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths in the country to make peaceful co-existence and harmony their watchwords and work together for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
“It is only through the fear of God, love for one another and commitment to peaceful living that we can collectively confront our challenges as a nation and build the Nigeria of our dreams,” Fayemi said.
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, in his own message, urged Muslims to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir to bring their neighbours close to them.
The governor said that it was through good neighbourliness that Nigerians could learn to live and tolerate one another.
Lalong said this in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims.
He urged them to see the current economic hardship as a phase, adding that the All Progressives Congress-led administration at all levels was working hard to ensure that the economic recession became a thing of the past as soon as possible.
He urged Muslims to celebrate with calmness and avoid anything that would lead to the breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, major streets and highways on Sunday were devoid of the usual boisterousness while heavily armed personnel comprising of the police and operatives of the Operation Safe Haven were on patrol.
No car was allowed to park along the road, while those that parked their cars had their tyres deflated.
PUNCH
