By Tony Osauzo (Benin), Billy Graham Abel (Yola), Olanrewaju Lawal (Birnin Kebbi), Charity Nwakaudu (Abuja), Laide Raheem (Abeokuta), Agaju Madugba (Katsina)
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, urged the Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan period to pray for peace in Edo State and in Nigeria while extending love to their neighbours, the needy and the less-privileged in the society.
The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said: “As the crescent moon graces our skies, birthing the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, I extend my warmest greetings to all Muslim faithful in Edo State and across the country.
“I urge everyone, especially Muslim faithful to use this blessed month to deepen their faith, extend a helping hand to those in need, and promote peace and harmony among fellow residents and citizens of Edo State.”
He implored Muslim faithful to continue to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration, as he “works tirelessly to make the lives of Nigerians better and address the many challenges facing our dear country.”
The Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in his message to Muslim faithful, to mark the commencement of Ramadan reminded them to use the fasting period “pursue love, peace and unity as well as rededicate themselves to the worship of Allah.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, and made available to newsmen in Yola, the state capital, Governor Fintiri said further: “As we join our Muslim counterparts worldwide to observe the Ramadan fast, let us maintain vigilance in worship places. Although Government has put all structures in place to ensure safety of residents, we have every reason to be vigilant.”
He admonished Nigerians to, “close ranks and refuse to accommodate the machinations of those who seek to profit from their pains or widen the lines of division,” noting, “The nation has sadly witnessed the escalation of division and insecurity of recent times, I urge Nigerians to work together to bring an end to that.”
In the spirit of the Ramadan, wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir-Idris has distributed foodstuff, and cash to 500 women to support them during the fasting period.
She stated this while speaking at the Kebbi Women Pre-Ramadan Lectures and Empowerment of 500 Women held at Waziri Umaru Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, and urged women to pray for the administration of Governor Nasir Idris to succeed, noting the administration had brought positive development to the state.
“I urge you to pray for the present administration of her husband, Gov. Nasir Idris to succeed. The administration has brought positive development to the state.
Similarly, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, felicitated the Muslim Ummah, in a message made by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, urging them to reflect on the season and pray for the peace, unity, and progress of Nigeria.
The statement read in part: “This sacred time is a moment for reflection, spiritual growth, and a time to extend love to our fellow compatriots. Ramadan encourages us to embrace kindness, charity, and the spirit of togetherness. Let us take this time to reaffirm our commitment to uplifting those in need, fostering compassion, and building bridges of understanding and unity within our families and communities.
“Let us in this holy season pray for our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has continued to demonstrate great commitment to making Nigeria a great nation.
The senator representing Ogun West at the National Assembly, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, urged Muslims to pray for the continued success of the Renewed Hope Agenda in all ramifications as well as security of the nation.
Adeola, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Kayode Odunaro, yesterday, enjoined Muslim Uma’ah, to show good neighbourliness and eschew violence.
With the commencement of the Ramadan, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Interior, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, has urged traders to refrain from exploiting consumers by charging exorbitant prices for food items during the Muslim fasting period.
Ahmed said that any exploitations of the populace through price increases would be against the tenets of Islam and the spirit of Ramadan. In a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media, Sardauna Francis, Ahmed who is also the Dujiman Katsina said that traders should desist from increasing prices of goods and food items during the Holy month.