The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Saturday joined Islamic faithful the world over to observe special Eid prayers as part of the Eid-el-Kabir festival, wishing all Muslims a blessed celebration and all Nigerians peace.
The governor, who spoke with newsmen after the prayers at the Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos, said that whatever Nigerians want for themselves lies in their hands to achieve.
He said: “I am sure that all will be well and it must be well only because we want it to be well.
“If it is well within us, it will be well around us and it will be well in our nation.
“In the last one year, everyday has been a season of countless blessings in spite of unwanted developments.
“As long as one is alive, you must remain grateful for many things: peace, health, well being and so long as there is hope, yesterday’s challenges can become history about how we turned things around.
“Those things should never overcome us.”
Governor Fashola added that being alive means that there is a possibility to learn from yesterday, to improve upon today and to turn around tomorrow because real builders look to tomorrow and that everyone must be builders in their minds.
Continuing, he said: “We must be builders in our actions and in our thoughts and in our general disposition and, therefore, tomorrow, we can build from today.”
Prominent among those who observed the Sallah prayers alongside the governor were the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abou Afeez; and some members of the State Executive Council, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Lanre Babalola; and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba.
Also in his Sallah goodwill message to the residents of Lagos on Friday, Governor Fashola called on Nigerians to return to the values of peaceful co-existence, brotherly love and personal and environmental hygiene.
Fashola stated that the nation needs brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among her citizens today above all other things as a means to overcome the numerous challenges threatening her fledgling democracy, especially the challenge to security.
The governor, who noted that the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir resonates around the virtue of sacrifice, also enjoined Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, pointing out that it is only in the spirit of brotherly love and dedication to national service that Nigerians could build the desired nation.
Advocating unconditional love, sharing, forgiveness and championing of the cause of the weak and the oppressed as well as the vulnerable, Governor Fashola enjoined all Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir to reflect on the affairs in the country and the challenges confronting her, especially those bordering on the peace and security of life and property of her citizens.
The governor urged: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations.”
Governor Fashola thanked Lagos State residents for their understanding and cooperation during the efforts to contain the Ebola Virus Disease imported into the state, pointing out that their exemplary conduct and steadfastness went a long way in finally eradicating the deadly virus from the state.
He paid glowing tribute to the frontline health workers as well as institutions that offered themselves in the battle against the disease, saying the people, both those living and those who unfortunately lost their lives, would remain the true heroes of the Ebola containment in the country.
The governor, however, called on all residents and all Nigerians to continue to observe all the hygienic habits as outlined by health experts, especially the regular washing of hands and keeping both the home and business environment clean at all times, adding that it is only by keeping those health standards that total eradication of such diseases could be ensured.
Also thanking the residents for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diversity of ethnic origin and religion, Governor Fashola declared: “With your demonstration of love for neighbour and willingness to serve, our State will continue to be a model of all that patriotic Nigerians will want our dear country to be.
“In this all important crusade to rescue our dear country from socio-economic as well as political quagmire, let us all continue to demonstrate those sterling virtues of harmonious and peaceful co-existence as well as willingness to serve in this melting pot of cultures where you have chosen to turn the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of our State into a source of strength.”
Wishing all Muslim brothers and sisters in the state a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Governor Fashola enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to take a cue from Lagos and continue to be their brothers’ keepers.
Trending
- Alleged defilement of girlfriend: 23-year-old student freed after two years
- We’re not aware of any BoT in Labour Party — NEC
- Anambra police station attacked, set ablaze
- National Convention: We gave INEC over 100 days notice – LP
- Naira falls against dollar by 0.7%
- Delta Killings: Traditional ruler declared wanted surrenders self
- 3rd Mainland Bridge: Minister gives date for full reopening
- Eve’s Desire: Challenges of a loveless marriage, by Tiwa Says