Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday joined a large gathering of Muslim faithful at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground in Lagos to observe the two-rakat Eid-el-Kabir prayer and used the occasion to urge Nigerians to embrace love, tolerance, unity and obedience to the rule of law, as Muslims across the country celebrated the festival of sacrifice. Speaking with journalists shortly after the prayer session, Tinubu thanked Almighty Allah for preserving the lives of Nigerians to witness another Eid-el-Kabir celebration and called on citizens to reflect deeply on the lessons of the season. “We thank God, Almighty Allah, who has provided for us and kept us to see another year, another Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Him for His mercy, and we must learn from the lessons of this season by showing love to one another. No discrimination, no ethnicity, no hatred,” Tinubu said.
The President stressed the importance of tolerance, generosity and respect for the rule of law, stating that these values form the foundation of a peaceful and progressive society. “We should share love and be generous to one another in a way that reflects the values of our country and our common humanity. It is essential that we remain tolerant, obedient to the will of Allah, and obedient to the rule of law, which must guide our society,” he added. Drawing a parallel with the significance of the festival, Tinubu highlighted the sanctity and value of human life, noting that the sacrifice of Eid-el-Kabir underscores the principle that life is precious. “The sacrifice we are talking about, even in the beginning of life, where we take this from, a child was replaced with an animal. And that is what the value of life is all about,” he said.
Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, who led the prayers, called on Muslims to embrace the core lessons of Eid-el-Kabir: sacrifice, generosity, unity and service to humanity. He reminded the congregation that the festival symbolises the obedience and sacrifice demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim when Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son Ismail. The Chief Imam also used the platform to pray for President Tinubu, asking Allah to grant him wisdom, good health and guidance in leading the country towards peace and prosperity. “As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, let us shun all acts of indiscipline, hate speech, violence and terrorism to ensure peaceful coexistence and progress of our dear nation Nigeria,” Abou-Nolla said.
The President was accompanied by a host of top government officials and political leaders at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground. Among those who joined him were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa; Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; and former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, among others. The gathering reflected a strong display of unity among political and religious leaders in the state as the nation marked one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar.
Across the country, Muslim faithful joined in the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, which coincides with the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. In Abuja, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar observed the Eid prayers at the AYA Mosque, where he called on Nigerians to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, compassion and peace. “As we celebrate this sacred occasion, may the spirit of Eid strengthen our bonds of unity, compassion, sacrifice, and peace as one people and one nation,” Atiku said in a message shared on his social media handle. The former vice president also extended goodwill greetings to Muslims across Nigeria and around the world, praying for lasting peace and prosperity for the nation.
The prayers offered by the leaders came at a time when Nigeria is still reeling from the effects of widespread insecurity and recent terrorist attacks, including the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oyo State earlier in May. Tinubu, whose administration has faced mounting criticism over its handling of security and economic challenges, used the Eid platform to address insecurity directly, stating that no religion condones violence, banditry or the killing of innocent people. “There is nowhere in the holy teaching that says you should engage in banditry. Nowhere should you kill another human being,” he said.
As part of the Eid celebrations, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to extend a helping hand to the less privileged, feed the needy and share joy with one another. He expressed confidence that the nation’s challenges can be overcome if citizens live by the values of tolerance, generosity and the rule of law.
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