President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Muslims in the country to sustain the virtues of the Ramadan period.
In his Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians marking the end of the Ramadan fasting season, Buhari asked Muslims to always put humanity before personal interests.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, quoted the President saying “The Ramadan period is meant to reinforce us spiritually, therefore, we should use religion as an inspiration to do good at all times.
“The virtues of the Ramadan should be sustained beyond the celebration. Going back to bad ways after the Ramadan might defeat the essence of the message and lessons the fasting period was supposed to inculcate in the hearts and minds of the Muslim faithful,” he said.
The president also used the occasion to commiserate with victims of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry in the country. He said the days of criminal elements were numbered.
President Buhari reassured Nigerians that under no circumstances would criminals and mass murderers be allowed to hold the country to ransom, saying ‘‘their days are numbered because this administration will pursue them relentlessly and bring them to justice.’’
He expressed satisfaction at the conduct of peaceful elections in Nigeria, despite what he called “doomsday predictions of social disharmony.”
The president commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a good job despite the initial difficulties and praised the voters for their tenacity and strong faith in the democratic process.
“Before the 2019 general elections, prophets of doom didn’t give the country a chance to conduct peaceful elections. Despite these fears, the country overcame its political challenges.
“For abandoning their businesses in order to vote, the voters had demonstrated great patriotism in coming out to exercise their civic duty.
“Let me use this opportunity once again to reassure all Nigerians that your sacrifices in voting for me won’t be in vain. I will ensure the ordinary voters feel the positive impact of government,” the president added.
Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in a congratulatory message to Muslims on the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr, prayed that this season ushers Nigerians into a season of peace, love and joy.
Jonathan in a twitter message on Tuesday, June 4, wrote “Eid Mubarak to the Muslim Ummah, may this season usher into our homes peace, love and joy. May Allah grant us our heart desires according to His eternal will. Happy Celebrations,” the message read.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday, June 4, joined Nigerians to congratulate Muslim Faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
Osinbajo who took the greeting to his official Twitter handle said: “The month of Ramadan comes to an end, I wish a beautiful Eid-Al-Fitr to our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrating across Nigeria.”
Also, Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, joined the Muslim brothers and sisters to celebrate the Eid-el- Fitr across the country. Saraki’s congratulatory message was contained in his early morning tweets.
The statement read: “I congratulate Muslim faithful across the nation and the world on our celebration of #EidElFitr — after the successful observance of the fasting period during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“As we celebrate today, we must not relent in displaying the discipline, restraint and good neighbourliness that we observed during the fasting period. We also must not relent in our prayers for the unity of our nation and the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, declared that Tuesday, June 4, will be Sallah owing to the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1440AH which marked the end of Ramadan.
Abubakar said the new moon of Shawwal was sighted in Borno, Daura, Lagos and other places, making Tuesday the date for Sallah.
