SENATE President, Ahmed Lawan and other prominent Nigerians have called on Muslims in the country to sue for greater unity and tolerance.
They made the call in separate messages to felicitate with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el Maulud, which commemorates the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said, “Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set clear examples through his life of piety and fervent worship of Allah for all true Muslims to emulate at all times.
“Doing so is particularly important now that these virtues are required for healing our land and strengthening our bond as humans, people of faith and Nigerians.
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, in his own message said: “As Muslims, let us on this Eid-ul-Mawlud, a day set aside for the celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW), exhibit true love to one another and the rest of Nigerians. Love and peace are central to the message of the Holy Prophet. #EidElMaulud.
“By practising the teachings of our Prophet, we naturally become agents of peace and love – the two crucial elements needed to heal our land of strife and division”.
Ex-senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, urged Nigerians to close ranks and also be their brothers’ keepers in order to move the nation forward.
“It is only by doing so that we can overcome and move our country forward on the path of peace, security, and prosperity, and development,” Ekweremadu was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu.
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State said the selfless service of Prophet Muhammed should serve as a unifying factor to all Muslims and a lesson to humanity.
Ayade said, “The virtues of service and exemplary leadership as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammed should be imbibed by all mankind,” urging Muslims to pray for peace and progress of the country.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, charged Muslims in the country to advance the cause of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in spite of the ethnic, religious and political differences of Nigerians.
“As we celebrate this year’s Eid-el Maulud, I wish to appeal for sober reflection and self-evaluation by all with a view to knowing how well we related with our creator and fellow human beings during the last one year and make amendments where necessary,” Governor Mohammed said.
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State said that this is a time for sober reflections.
“I wish to share in the joy like all Muslims on this day when our Prophet Muhammad was born which is being celebrated by Muslims around the globe and in particular to join my good people of Zamfara on this happy day.
“This is the time for sober reflections on the life and time well spent by our Prophet and I know that as Muslims we will continue to cherish and imbibe those qualities with the prayer that Allah will reward us with His abundance in both worlds.
“I wish to implore the Muslims in particular and the general public in the state to continue to pray for the full return of peace in our dear state and in the nation in general.
“Your prayers, individually and collectively have brought us to where we are now, with cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities drastically reducing and I believe this good work will be sustained for the attainment of lasting peace,” Matawalle said.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said that the unity of purpose, virtues of kindness, humility, and peaceful co-existence exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW) should be emulated.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, quoted him as saying that “peaceful co-existence is part of Islamic ethics taught by the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). As a leader in Medinah, he did not only live peacefully with others but was just to them irrespective of different tribal and religious affiliations.
“One of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is good neighbourliness, as neighbours remained the closest allies, and being kind to them would bring about harmonious living.”
In his own message, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State said now is the time for Nigerians to unite.
“No time in the history of Nigeria has love, peace, unity and respect for our diversity been needed than now,” he said.
“I urge our Muslim brothers to fervently pray for peace, unity and tolerance in Nigeria and shun every form of violence and lawlessness.
“Do well to focus more on the virtues of hard work, peaceful disposition to one another and love for the nation in line with the virtues taught by the Almighty Allah,“ he said.
Governor Samuel Ortom charged the Muslim Community in the State to use the celebration of the Eid El Maulud to pray for the peace, security and economic growth of the country.
The Governor also thanked the Muslim Community in the State for their continued support and cooperation and tasked them to continue to respect the laws in force in the State.
He assured them that his administration will continue to uphold the religious rights of every citizen and provide enabling environment for the sustenance of peace and harmony amongst all those living in the state.
The Governor said he is happy that Benue is free from religious and political crises and said his administration is committed to securing the lives of its citizens.
