President Bola Tinubu and state governors, on Wednesday, assured Nigerians that the economic pains and hardships they were facing would soon turn to prosperity.
They said the current pains were necessary, noting that the peoples’ sacrifices would pave the way for abundance and a better future for the country.
Tinubu and the governors spoke in separate statements on the Sallah celebrations across the country.
Speaking in Lagos shortly after observing the Eid prayers at the Obalende Muslim Prayer Ground located near Dodan Barracks, the former seat of power in Lagos, the President said, “We have to make the sacrifices and that is clear, we have to.”
His message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake.
The statement was titled: ‘Nigeria will experience peace, stability, and prosperity, President Tinubu declares at Lagos Eid Prayer Ground.’
Tinubu described the current economic hardships as a bearable burden, explaining that “Allah will not give you a burden that you cannot carry.”
Therefore, he urged Nigerians to have faith in God that the country would experience peace, stability, and prosperity.
“I thank Almighty Allah for keeping us in good health till today and pray to Him to grant us robust health and prosperity.
“May our sacrifices turn to prosperity. We have to make the sacrifices and that is clear, we have to.
“But Allah will not give you a burden that you cannot carry. He is there for us. We must have faith in the country. Have faith in ourselves, believing that as citizens of this country, we must join hands to build the nation,” the President said.
He called for unity in the country, urging Nigerians not to allow their religious and tribal identities to overshadow their national identity.
Tinubu also prayed for Nigerian troops on the frontline in the fight against insurgency, saying he desires to see them emerge victorious.
“Nigeria will see peace, stability and God will grant peace to those of us at the war front,” he added.
Imam seeks prayers
The Eid prayer, which started at 9 a.m., was led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abu-Nolah.
The Chief Imam later performed the obligatory slaughtering of the ram at the Eid prayer ground in celebration of the significance of the noble act of Prophet Ibrahim in total obedience to Allah’s command.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat felicitated Muslims nationwide for the joy of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, urging them to unite behind the President in his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
“We have to pray for our leaders. We must pray for our President that God should help him to succeed in the task before him,” Hamzat said.
The prayer was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, a former governor of Lagos State and immediate-past Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, among other top government officials and politicians.
Meanwhile, governors and clerics have sued for peace and economic prosperity as Muslims converge on prayer grounds.
In his Sallah message, the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello charged the people of the state to be law-abiding and security-conscious at all times.
The governor gave the charge shortly after he observed the Eid prayer at Okene, his country home.
He charged the people of the state to respect constituted authority and promised to fulfill his promises of developing the state far better than he met it when he took over the leadership of the state in 2016.
“I thank God almighty who has brought us thus far. This is my last time praying on this ground as a governor. I thank God for his protection, guidance, and the good health we have enjoyed throughout my tenure to date.
“I thank God that I was able to turn around the fortune of the state far better than I met the state in 2016 when I took over the leadership of the state,” he said.
Bello called on the citizens of the state to be patient with the current government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that with perseverance, there are better days ahead under the current administration.
The governor appealed to the chief imam of Ebiraland Sheik Salihu Abere to use his position as a religious leader to unite the people irrespective of belief, urging him not to allow anybody to derail him from performing his functions as chief imam.
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