Eid-el-fitri: Abubakar preaches peace, unity among Nigerians

By Obinna Unaeze

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to embrace peaceful co-existence, irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations, to enhance rapid development of the country.

Abubakar said on Friday that the measure would command respect of the people.

He spoke after observing the two Rakaats prayers for Eid-el-fitri at the Minna central prayer ground, attended by many Muslim faithful.

“We have to give peace a chance, irrespective of our ethnic and religious affiliations in order to enhance rapid development of the country and command the respect of all,” he said.

Abubakar stressed that peace was the only condition for any meaningful development without which the much needed quest for Nigeria’s economic and political development would continue to elude.

“Elections have come and gone, let’s try and see how we can support the incoming administration to succeed,” he said.

The former leader used the occasion to salute the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and entire world for celebrating Eid-el-fitri.

He also advised them to imbibe the tenets of Islam and put into practice what they have learnt during Ramadan fast.

Similarly, Dr Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of the state, stressed the need for Muslims to be thankful to Allah for His mercy and prosperity.

“Many people died this morning and they have seen the last day of Ramadan but were not able to see the Eid-el-fitri day,” he said.

Aliyu advised wealthy Muslims to ensure that their neighbours were happy, which was the reason for giving out  the Zakkatil Fitri  (almsgiving) as ordained by Allah.

He said that the gesture would assist poor Muslims who could not feed themselves and their family so that they would be happy on Eid-el-fitri day.

NAN reports that the celebrations were peaceful in the state as the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed personnel to all areas of the state to ensure hitch free events.

(NAN)