Governor of Osun State, Mr. Adegboyela Oyetola, has congratulated Muslims in the State and across the world on the successful completion of the 1441 AH Ramadan fast and the celebration of Eid-el-fitri festival.
Oyetola in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, prayed Almighty Allah to accept all the acts of worship and supplication of the Muslim faithful during the just-concluded holy month.
The governor said though Ramadan has ended, Muslims must continue to reflect on and sustain the lessons and virtues of the month and replicate same in their daily lives, particularly in their conducts and dealings with others.
He said: “Although Ramadan has gone, we as Muslims, must not depart from the lessons and virtues of the spiritually-rejuvenating month. We must sustain the lessons the month had taught us and continue to replicate them in our daily lives and dealings with others. We must keep up with the good deeds we were known for during the month.
“Let us continue to exhibit the virtues of devotion, obedience, perseverance, love, tolerance, peace, sacrifice, forgiveness and generosity associated with the month of Ramadan. This way, we will become better Muslims and contribute to the betterment of the society we live in.”
Oyetola also urged Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to take advantage of this important celebration to pray against the current economic and security situation of the country as well as the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the whole world.
He noted that the pandemic ravaging the world challenges humanity and its faith in God, urging Muslims to hold fast to their faith in their creator in both times of prosperity and hardship in order to validate the sincerity of their faith.
He added that considering the huge blessings that come with the holy month, Nigerians and the world would come out of this war, stronger and better.
“COVID-19 has no doubt caused us unprecedented economic and health woes, but I believe that, with divine prayers and efforts put in place by government at various levels, Nigeria and the world will defeat the pandemic and come out of it stronger and better,” he added.
The governor encouraged citizens and residents of Osun to celebrate the Eid-el-firtri festival in moderation and in compliance with the subsisting COVID-19 rules and regulations of the State Government. He also charged them to show love and extend hands of support to the less privileged whose livelihoods have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Oyetola further noted that the lockdown directive imposed to check the spread of Coronavirus was still in force and warned against violation of the order, stressing that violators would not be spared by the State government.
“To this end, some regular activities during Eid celebration such as congregational prayers and other religious gatherings are suspended during this period. This is necessary to flatten the curve and prevent community transmission of the Coronavirus,” Oyetola added.
The governor also appealed to Nigerians and the Muslim faithful in particular to intensify prayers during the month of Shawwal for God’s intervention in the fight against Covid-19, noting that the month is a symbol of new life and renewal after the month of spiritual cleansing.
According to him, the current situation in the country has made it more compelling for people to reach out and show love to the vulnerable and the poor of the society.
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated Muslims in the State on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri, urging them to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence among every Lagosian.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Saturday said the occasion of Eid-el-Fitri is very significant to Muslims across the world as it marks the end of one month of abstinence from worldly pleasures with fasting and prayers, observed in accordance with the Islamic injunctions.
He said: “Today, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in Lagos State and in Nigeria happy Eid-el-fitri.”
“For Muslims, today’s celebration is very unique. It is a feast to mark the end of a month long spiritual renewal following thirty days of fasting and other religious acts.”
“Ramadan was a period that you denied yourselves the worldly pleasures, turned to your creator for total cleansing and upheld other religious values.”
“Such values as the reaffirmation of your duty to serve one another, helping the poor and the vulnerable in the society, offering gratitude, showing compassion and generosity among other good deeds that guide your faith.”
Sanwo-Olu urged Muslims to continue on the path of spirituality, respect for one another and peaceful co-existence among all Lagosians.
“As Muslims celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitri, we must remind ourselves of the need to further reflect spiritually and build communally.’’
The Governor reminded the Muslim faithful of the new reality caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, saying it has altered the way we live, work and celebrate.
He said: “Traditionally, the end of Ramadan is marked with fanfare, where thousands of worshippers head to various designated praying grounds in their localities for special Eid prayer, followed by festive gatherings, visits to families and friends, gift exchanges, feasts among friends, neighbours and relations.”
“However, these activities, which are a reflection of joy and happiness of the season cannot hold this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.”
“As we celebrate, I want us to remember that our fight against the COVID-19 is not over. Let us reflect on the last two to three months of our lives as individuals, as a State and as a nation. We should also remember our health care workers, and thousands of COVID-19 patients who would have loved to be at home to celebrate with us at this moment.”
“Therefore, I implore all to celebrate moderately with our families.”
“My wife and I hope the occasion of Eid-el-Fitri brings joy to every Lagosian irrespective of religious inclination.”
Also sharing Sallah greetings with the public, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila congratulated Nigerian Muslims for concluding this year’s Ramadan fast and marking Eid-el-Fitr peacefully.
The Speaker urged Nigerian Muslims to imbibe virtues such as feeding the needy, being their brother’s keepers and prayers for peaceful coexistence that usually come with the month of Ramadan.
In a congratulatory message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker further urged the Muslim faithful to pray fervently for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic that has been ravaging countries all over the world, including Nigeria.
He said Muslims should also adhere strictly to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), whom he described as the best for all Muslims to emulate.
“I bring to Nigerian Muslims warm greetings at this season of Eid-el-Fitr. It is a season of remembrance of the good things that the Almighty Allah has done in our lives.
“Unfortunately, this year’s Eid-el-Fitr will be celebrated low-key, not for our own making, but that is how our Creator wills it. That is why we all must return to Him in prayers to bring an end to this COVID-19 pandemic.
“I enjoin every Nigerian Muslim to be of good character and remain the best of examples, taking after the Holy Prophet (SAW). Let’s also pray for an end to insecurity and other challenges that we face as a nation,” the Speaker said.
In his Sallah message, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar called on leaders to make sacrifices as the world is faced with peculiar challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “I am sure there would be very few Muslims alive today – if any – who had witnessed a Ramadan fasting like the one we just had, and Eid celebration such as we would have this year without the mandatory congressional prayers.
“We fasted this year without spiritual acts of worship that accompany the Holy month of Ramadan like attending tafsir (evening sermons before breaking of fast), sharing of iftar with family, friends and the needy, and even the voluntary seclusion during the last ten days of the blessed Ramadan.
“But all these strictures could not have made our fasting less valid because, as Muslims, we believe that everything that happens is with the command of Almighty Allah. We are taught in the scripture and the Sunnah of Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that God would test our faith individually and as an Ummah”.
“It is also incumbent on governments at all levels, that in planning for the post Covid-19 era, the welfare of the people should be of paramount priority.
“People in leadership positions all over the world should learn from countless examples of how Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and his immediate disciples took the welfare of the people as priority in administration of a state. This time calls for sacrifice in leadership. This is no time for extravagance and living in luxury” he further said.
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