Date: 2009-11-26

Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki has appealed to adherents of religious groups in Nigeria to continue to live together peacefully and display love towards one another as only this can make the country to progress.

Dr Saraki, who made the appeal in his Eid-el-Kabir message to all Muslims in the country, urged them to emulate the good teachings of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) which harped on good neighbourliness, sacrifice, love, righteousness, humility and total submission to the injunctions of Almighty Allah.

He called on Muslim faithful nationwide to be prayerful and reflect on the import of the Sallah celebration as a mark of God’s love for all.

Dr Saraki also advised Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliation to show love and move away from always being negative about our country, using the example of South Africa and Brazil where the people always feel proud and say good things about their countries.

"I think it is important for us as Nigerians to give thanks to Almighty God, as I keep on emphasizing, we do not talk a lot about good things that happen in Nigeria, we are so quick to talk about the negative things and I think as a country, we have achieved a lot.

"This period is for Muslims to give praise to Almighty Allah and thank Him for what we have been able to do in Nigeria and I am sure greater things  would come. We should move away from always being  negative about our country", Saraki explained.

The message he said, is for us as Nigerians to begin to appreciate Nigeria, appreciate those good things and talk about good things always so that Nigeria can move forward.

The Governor also urged Muslims to see the Sallah celebration beyond mere festivity but that which symbolizes great spiritual devotion and rededicate themselves to the injunctions of love and perseverance as exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.W) through the sacrifice made.

Dr Saraki expressed appreciation to the people of the State for their continuous support to his administration and enjoined them to eschew politics of bitterness and destruction as the nation approaches the 2010 general elections.

He assured that his administration would continue to live up to expectation in the bid to turn around the economic fortunes of the State.

While congratulating the entire Muslim Ummah in the State for witnessing yet another Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Dr Saraki appealed for caution and orderliness so as not to disrupt the public peace during the festive period.

 

Mas’ud Adebimpe

Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor

26/11/09