The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has enjoined Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and development.
Ekweremadu made the call in his goodwill message to the MuslimUmah on the occasion of Eid el-Kabir.
He said:
“I congratulate our Muslim brethren on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir. This season of conviviality presents another opportunity to reflect on our national challenges and the way forward.
“No nation realizes its full potentials without equity, justice, unity, and peaceful co-existence. I enjoin the Muslim Umah and indeed all of us to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, and love that the season represents in order to move the nation forward”.
While also enjoining the Muslim Umah to cease the opportunity of the Sallah to recommit the nation into God’s hand, the Deputy President of the Senate wished the Muslim Umaha merry and hitch-free Eid el-Kabir celebration.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.
In a statement released yesterday Thursday, Buhari once again expressed gratitude to Nigerians for praying for his recovery.
“Fellow Compatriots, I felicitate with you all, particularly the Muslim faithful, on the celebration of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.
“I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters who are currently in Saudi Arabia to participate in the rites of the Hajj.
“From the outset, I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians who prayed for my recovery and have continued to extend their goodwill and support after my return to the country.”
Furthermore, he reassured Nigerians of his commitment to fulfilling his administrations promises and urged Nigerians to put aside all prejudices in order to sustain national unity.
“Indeed your fervent and sincere prayers, which cut across religion, political and ethnic divides, has energised me to re-dedicate myself and this administration to the task of building a great Nigeria.
“On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together.
“For Muslims all over the world, this celebration is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim.
“As we celebrate, I sincerely believe that our nation can make rapid progress on all fronts if we re-enact the exemplary virtues, typified by Prophet (Abraham) Ibrahim, through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.
“We must learn to see ourselves as brothers and sisters from the same heritage, who must come to terms with the African proverb that ‘‘a family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break.
“Once again, I assure you that this administration, which has made the security, economic well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians its priority, will not rest on its oars until we see the Nigeria of our dream.
“I wish everyone happy Sallah celebrations,” the statement read.
Friday and Monday have been declared as public holidays to celebrate Sallah.
On behalf of myself and my entire Nigeria, Kindly accept our compliments and best regards at this season of eid-el kabir. May allah reward your sacrifice bountifully, And preserve us all to witness many of this seasons in years to come.
May the blessings of Allah fill your live with happiness and open all the door of success now and always. (Amin)
enjoy our digital ram specially dedicated to you
Happy Eid-El-kabir.
Salam Alaykum.
Barka Da Sallah.
During Sallah or Eid al-Adha, there is one festival that everyone looks forward to in South West, Nigeria. It’s the Ojude-Oba festival.
The festival is a gathering of indigenes of Ijebuland who gather at the Awujale palace to pay homage to the Royal Majesty, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. It is a very colourful parade and it is celebrated with extreme pomp and pageantry. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, takes you on a ride to the festival as the 2017 edition beckons!
Origin of the festival
Long before the Ojude-Oba festival became an all-encompassing gig, it was a small gathering of adherents and followers of the Islamic religion. The festival came into existence over 100 years ago when the earliest Muslim converts in Ijebu-ode paid homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland to thank him for granting them the freedom to practice their religion. Today, however, the festival has transcended religious lines and now attracts people of all faiths as well as tourists from within and outside Nigeria.
Where
The festival is held in the town of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, South West, Nigeria.
When
The festival is celebrated on the 3rd day of Eid al-Adha. That means the 2017 festival will be held on Sunday, 3rd, 2017.
Getting there
Ijebu-Ode has been made very popular by the Ojude-Oba festival. Hence, it is not really difficult getting to Ijebu-Ode. From Lagos, locate a major bus park, preferably Oshodi, board a bus en route Ijebu-Ode. The bus fare is between N1,500 and N2,000. If you want to drive, make sure you are familiar with the route or you get someone that does.
Key highlights
Parade by different age grades (Regberegbes)
There are three different age-grade that show off their colourful attires to the Awujale. There are different regberegbes from both the male and female sides. Both genders belonging to different age-grades will attempt to outwit each other employing different tactics to be declared the best. The winners are awarded cash prizes.
Horse-riding
There are different horse riding families led by the Balogun. The Balogun is the descendants of Ijebu war heroes who executed wars. Some of the horse-riding families include Balogun Odunuga, Balogun Bello Odueyungbo Kuku, Balogun Agboola Alausa, Balogun Alatishe, Balogun Otubu, Balogun Adesoye, Balogun Odejayi, Balogun Adesoye Onasanya, Balogun Towobola, Balogun Aregbesola and Balogun Ajibike Odedina. Their entry is announced by intermittent gunshots which send almost everyone into a frenzy!
Tips for surviving the Ojude-Oba festival
Arrive as early as possible to the festival
If you can, take public transport to Ijebu-Ode. In addition, have a pouch where you keep all your gadgets. Better still book a hotel close to where the festival will be held.
Leave your kids at home. Importantly, ensure that you stay together because it may be difficult to locate anyone who strays
The Federal Government has declared Friday, September 1 and Monday, September 4, 2017 as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
This was made public in a press statement by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) on Monday in a statement released by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Rufa’i Attahiru.
Dambazau congratulated Muslims and urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of democracy.
He admonished the citizens to join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari “in its avowed determination to build a peaceful and harmonious country, where the rights of every citizen are protected and guaranteed,” as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The minister assured Nigerians of their safety in all parts of the country, emphasising that security agencies have been directed to maintain the peace and protect lives and property.
“He condemned in strong terms the prevalence of hate speeches in the country and warned that the government would henceforth deal with perpetrators according to the law, while emphasising that the government would continue to foster peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and stability in its march towards actualizing the full potential of Nigeria,” the statement said.
Dambazau wished all Nigerians a rewarding and happy celebration.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP, Garba Umar has warned potential trouble makers not to ferment or trigger crisis as the Muslim community across the Nation celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
The celebration which comes on the 26th and 27th of June was to mark the end of Ramadan among Muslim faithful.
In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nkeiruka Nwode, the Police Commissioner disclosed that the command had been gainfully empowered to ensure safety of life and prosperity during and after the celebration.
Mr Umar said the men of the command had been positioned at strategies places to maintain peace, as well as apprehend and bring to book, any hoodlum trying to distort the peace Anambra people are enjoying.
While extended his warm greetings to the Muslim faithful, C. P umar urged the general public to provide vital information or suspicious movement to appropriate authorities.
Some of the hotlines lines released for information include 08166559820 and 07039199820.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Sunday urged all Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations. Mr. Obaseki made the call on Sunday when he received some Muslims in the state who paid him a Sallah visit at the Government House in Benin.
The Governor particularly advised adherents of the Islamic faith to practice the lessons of Ramadan for peace to continue to reign in the country.
Mr. Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu, said for a country to remain united, Nigerians, regardless of their religious leanings should protect the interest of their neighbours.
According to him, this is enshrined in the Holy Qur’an and the Bible which promote love for one another.
He called on Muslims in the country to adopt the Edo style of religious tolerance, where all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs, celebrate every festival as one people.
He also urged them to pray for those beating the drums of disunity to have a change of mind.
He said the calls for the break-up of the country could only lead to war which would not be in Nigeria’s interest.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of Edo, Abdulfatah Enabulele, had called on Nigerians to be their brothers’ keeper by embracing things that would further unite citizens.
He also challenged political leaders to address the various agitations nationwide.
The Chief Imam prayed for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, and for the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, to have more wisdom to move the country forward.
In Oyo, Governor Abiola Ajimobi called for sustained prayer for Nigeria’s unity even as Muslims join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.
Speaking at the Eid prayer ground in Ibadan to mark the end of Ramadan, Mr. Ajimobi, urged the people of the state to live peacefully with one another and ensure the country remained united.
Mr. Ajimobi, who was represented by Ishmael Alli, the Secretary to the State Government, said: “The symbol is specifically obedience and total supplications to Allah. Specifically, we must thank Him for all we are enjoying in the country.”
“We must all live in harmony in this country. We must remain a united Nigeria, likewise pray that Allah grant us abundance.”
He further urged all Nigerians to contribute immensely to the development of the country and prayed for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his sermon, AbdulGaniyu Abubakri, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, called on Muslims to learn from the lessons of Ramadan.
“We had in the last 29 days been closer to Almighty Allah in total obedience and supplications.
“As we have ended the Ramadan fasting, our people must continue with the good deeds.
“They should reflect on the lessons of the period and uphold its teachings,” he said.
Hazeem Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor in the state, urged Muslims to adhere strictly to the teachings of Ramadan.
He urged Muslims to remain steadfast in prayer and to submit totally to the will of Allah.
Also, Muhammad Magaji, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Abuja, called on Nigerians to embrace peace and to show support to the federal government.
Mr. Magaji made the call at the end of the Edi-el-Fitr prayer on Sunday in Gwagwalada.
According to him, there is need to live in unity and harmony in order to move the nation and the economy forward.
“I want to emphasise the need for peaceful co-existence because it is the tool for achieving unity and progress as no nation can make progress without unity.
“I want us all to embrace and support the agenda of this government so that we can all benefit from it,” he said.
He urged adherents of the Islamic faith to practice the teachings of Ramadan, which he said underscored the virtues of tolerance, patience, kindness and peaceful co-existence with non-Muslims.
He also called on parents to educate their children in both Western and religious education, saying “Charity begins at home’’.
Earlier in his sermon, Muhammad Zaria, the Acting Chief Imam Gwagwalada Central Mosque, had called for unity among Nigerians as it would encourage growth and development of the country.
On his part, the Deputy Imam, Abuja National Mosque, Muhammad-Kabir Adam, urged unity among Nigerians irrespective of their religious, ethnic and cultural differences.
Mr. Adam was speaking during the Eid-el-Kabir sermon at the National Eid Ground on Sunday in Abuja.
“We should know that it was not a coincidence that Allah created people with different backgrounds – religion, ethnicity, culture or any other differences that exist among the humanity.
“But it is for them to live together in unity and benefit from each other and not to disintegrate.
“Every citizen must respect the law of the land and shun all evil and wrong-doing,’’ he said
He called on Federal Government and all stakeholders to provide an environment conducive for the youth to engage in productive ventures to stop them from being used as destructive tools.
Some Muslims, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, urged Nigerians to pray for the recovery of President Buhari and the accelerated recovery of the country’s economy.
Jibiri Musa applauded the federal government for its efforts at restoring peace in the country, particularly in the north-east.
Mr. Musa said even in the face of daunting challenges, Nigerians were still standing together to ensure that peace was restored in the country.
He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to live in harmony with one another irrespective of their differences to see that “our great country is not divided’’.
Another resident of Abuja, Latifat Salisu, stated that Eid-el-Fitr festival is significant because it represents a celebration of the true love and grace of Allah to mankind through sacrifice, devotion and faith.
She, therefore, called on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and committed to the cause of uniting and developing the country through show of love to others.
“This period is for sacrifice and obedience to divine guidance and a time to share our resources with our neighbours both Muslims and non-Muslims and also to remember the less privileged’’.
Source
NAN
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
