Akpabio, senators’ forum, Obi task faithful
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan.
  
The celebration is a hallowed season, which reflects total submission to God and His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.
    
This is because the President also appealed to citizens to rededicate themselves to nation-building.
    
He wished that their supplications and sacrifices would receive fitting rewards from Allah.
    
As the President emphasised during an iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, he pleaded: “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay. We build it the way we desire.” 
   

In a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the first citizen prayed for the lessons, blessings and joys of the season to abide with citizens.

SIMILARLY, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, wished the faithful the accompanying blessings.
   
In a goodwill message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, he said: “On behalf of my family, people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and indeed the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I heartily rejoice with all the Muslims in Nigeria as they join their counterparts in other parts of the world to celebrate Eid-el Fitri.
   
“I wish all of you a peaceful and sweet celebration, and I pray the Almighty God to grant your heart desires.”
   
The former governor of Akwa Ibom State urged Muslims to continue offering prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria.

IN the same vein, the Nigerian Southern Senators’ Forum, has identified with Muslims on the successful completion of their Ramadan fast.
   
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by its chairman, Adetokunbo Abiru and publicity secretary, Asuquo Ekpenyong.
    
The document reads: “The glorious month of Ramadan is significant to all Muslims as one of the important pillars of Islam, and the Almighty Allah enjoins all Muslims to ask for his blessings during this period. 
   
“We, therefore, enjoin all Muslims to seek the face of Almighty Allah on the many challenges facing our dear nation.
   
“The forum encourages all Nigerians to maintain peace and ensure peaceful co-existence as admonished in the holy scriptures.
   
“Our dear nation is passing through a phase in history that requires the cooperation and understanding of all well-meaning citizens.”

EQUALLY, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in last year’s general elections, Peter Obi, has charged the adherents to seek God’s intervention in Nigeria’s situation.
    

A statement by his media spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, quoted him to have charged the faithful not to allow the prevailing hardship in the country to affect their spirit of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence
    
Rather Obi urged the people to use this year’s Eid-el Fitri festivities to engender the spirit of oneness and also re-dedicate themselves to the virtues of love, patriotism and unity for national development.
   
He noted that the two major faiths, Christianity and Islam, coming out of their fasting periods, should allow the solemnness of the holy months to influence their thoughts and actions in relating with one another and thinking about the future of the country.
   
Obi said that it’s discomforting the amount of blood being shed in the country daily, urging that the situation should be taken to God for prompt intervention.
  
“Our economy is already under severe stress, the currency is losing value daily, with unemployment and inflation rising,” the erstwhile governor of Anambra State stated. 
    
He assured that a new Nigeria is possible.