By Dwelleth Morountodun
The former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the National Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Lanre Onilu,
have urged Muslim faithful across the country to pray for peace and development of the nation.
Atiku in a signed statement said made available to the media on Monday quoted Prophet Mohammed, as saying: “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened”. Let us take advantage of these open heavens to make Ramadan intercession for the benefit of our country, our countrymen and women and for humanity as a race.
According to him, Nigerians are who would make Nigeria either great or dismal through our thoughts, words and actions. Therefore, Ramadan is an opportunity for us to rededicate ourselves to the virtues displayed by the Holy Prophet Mohammed, adding that virtues such as brotherly love and community spirit, without which a country shall be just a hollow shell.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, urged Muslim Ummah to use the Holy Month to pray for the peace, security and development of our dear country, Nigeria.
Also according to him, Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement, sacrifice and increased devotion and worship.
He said: “We implore Muslim Ummah to follow and apply the teachings of Islam in our relationship with our neighbours – Muslims and non-Muslims. We should remember and cater for the less-privileged in our midst, stay humble and abstain from all bad deeds.
“It is our inalienable right as humans to safely go about our daily activities and to live in peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. Hence, in our places of worship, educational institutions, socio-political gatherings, markets, social media and all other public spaces, we must resist divisive agents and their equally divisive messages and actions.
“We must report to relevant authorities agents of destruction who disguise as ethnic or religious champions to achieve their diabolic, selfish and heinous agenda by exploiting our perceived differences.”
The cases of kidnappings, banditry, ethno-religious and resource-fuelled crises and other violent crimes recorded in some parts of the country, according to him, are undoubtedly serious sources of concern.
Onilu, said while the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is adopting multifaceted approach to permanently tackle the conflicts and crimes, the president has equally given marching orders to relevant security services to deal with these security threats and bring back normalcy to the affected areas.
“In different fronts of our national life, the President Buhari-led administration has laid a solid foundation for national development, peace and progress.
The result is apparent in our strengthened economy, improved electioneering, refocused value system, waning corruption, social investments, massive infrastructure drive, better standing and influence in the comity of nations, in line with the promises contained in our Change Agenda for Nigerians. We are set to consolidate on work done so far and do more as we gear up for the Next Level of our renewed mandate.” He added.
Atiku also in his message said when we make ideals our goal this Ramadan, we will, by Allah’s grace, be able to reach a turning point in our individual, family and national lives that will bring about the rebirth of Nigeria as a nation that functions to provide peace, progress and prosperity to each and every citizen.
He therefore urged that Nigerians should use this fasting period of Ramadan to master ourselves through discipline, abstinence, prayer and self-sacrifice, may Allah hear our prayers and see us through so that we will finish what we started today in good health and a sound body.
The former VP said: “Some of our challenges may look like they will overwhelm us, but during the month of Ramadan, our connection and reconnection with Allah (SWT) makes our resolve stronger and our challenges weaker.”