Nigerian Muslims are celebrating the Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the Ramadan fast and prayer period.
The Federal Government had declared Friday and Monday public holiday to enable Muslims celebrate the occasion.
In a message to Muslims and entire Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed the belief that the key lessons of self-denial and sacrifice would serve Nigeria well, as the nation strive to overcome its present challenges, undo the damage done by years of bad governance and accelerate the pace of national development.
Pray For Nigeria
President Buhari stressed that Nigeria, more than ever before, needed greater self-denial, sacrifice and patriotism from all of its citizens, if the nation was to quickly recover from its numerous problems and start moving in a positive direction.
“This current period of our life as a nation offers us a great opportunity to break from the vicious triangle of insecurity, corruption and under-development. We must collectively resolve to seize this opportunity and unite to confront our problems.
“I remain wholly committed to giving the required leadership towards undoing the wrongs of the past, ensuring that Nigeria truly begins to unlock its great potential and that the benefits of our immense national resources are shared and enjoyed by all, not just by successive cabals of corrupt leaders and their cronies,” he said.
Some political office holders have also issued messages of felicitation, to Muslims, as they mark the Eid-el-Fitr.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, urged Nigerians not to relent in prayers for the peace, unity and development.
He urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use the Sallah period to pray for Nigeria to overcome the multifaceted challenges facing the country.
Mr Dogara said that, more than ever before, the present crop of leaders were coming at a very difficult time, when the country’s economy was in bad shape, and worsened by dwindling revenues.
The Speaker maintained that recent happenings in Nigeria especially the renewed attacks by the Boko Haram in the North East were source of concern, nonetheless, he expressed hope that Nigeria would surely overcome.
He described the resurgence of bombings of Churches and Mosques by the insurgents as last kicks of a dying horse and that it will soon be a thing of the past.
The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Muslims and all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr celebration to imbibe the culture of peace, unity and love among one another.
Governor Okowa urged Muslims in Delta State to adhere strictly to the teachings of the great Prophet of Islam, Mohammad and to sustain the ideals of the month of Ramadan beyond the Ramadan period.
The Senate President Bukola Saraki, congratulated Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts across the world for the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
Senator Saraki called on Muslims to intensify prayers for unity, peace and progress in Nigeria.
A statement by his spokesman, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, read: “Muslims should continue to demonstrate the fact that the meaning of Islam is peace and therefore, we should learn to live in peace with people of other faith and tolerate each other”.
Senator Saraki further asked Nigerians to “remember our fellow citizens in the north eastern part of the country who are being assailed by the Boko Haram”.
He also urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for the armed forces who are engaged in the war against the insurgents so that by the period of the next Ramadan, peace would have been totally restored to the whole of the north-east and other parts of Nigeria.
