The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah across the country on this year’s Eid el-Kabir festival.
In a Sallah statement on behalf of the Governor by the Director of the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said Muslims should use the period to reflect on the state of the nation.
Quoting the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, which stated that ‘the love of one’s nation is part of one’s belief,’ the governor said Nigerians must resolve on how to move the nation of out its current multifarious challenges and take it to a greater height.
He said both the leaders and the led have a task that must be performed for the country to move forward.
He said now is the time for everyone to contribute their quota to its progress so as for all and sundry to benefit from a prosperous nation.
He said: “On behalf of myself and the government of Osun, I felicitate with all Muslims across the country and Osun in particular.
“We should give thanks to Almighty Allah for His mercy over us and our nation despite all the challenges and difficulties we have encountered and are still battling with in some parts of the country.
“As Muslims, we are peace-loving and should continue to so do because Islam teaches nothing other than peace and love for all.
“I want all Muslims in the country to use the festive period as a moment of reflection, of prayer and of love-sharing among people not only of our faith alone but also of other faiths.
“We have no other country but Nigeria. Therefore, its existence, growth, progress and development must be of great concern to us all.
“I urge us all to pray for peace and prosperity of Nigeria and our dear state, Osun.
“It should be our resolve – now more than any other time – to pursue profitable courses that will lift the country from its current state to a better, peaceful, prosperous, united and enviable nation on earth.
“It is on this note that we wish all Muslims happy sallah.”