By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Former Nigeria's Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) has appealed to Muslims to put into practice what they have learned during the Ramadan fasting to enhance their human status.
Abubakar made the plea in an interview shortly after observing the two raka'ats prayers held at the Minna eid prayer ground, Niger state.
He also wants moslem umma to live according to the teachings of the Ramadan by assisting one another as a show of love and kindness, especially the less privileged persons in line with the teachings of Allah.
In his remark, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago congratulated the Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan fast also encouraged the youths to be orderly throughout the season and to desist from acts capable of destrupting the celebration of Eid el fitr.
Governor Bago who spoke through his Deputy Comrade Yakubu Garba, in apparent reaction to insinuations that he deliberately avoided the Eid-el-fitr prayers for fear of attacks said the Governor is in town and will later be at the Palace of the Emir of Minna Dr. Umar Farouq Bahago for the traditional durbar.
Speaking on the same vein, former Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu reminded adherents of the faith that out of the five pillars of Islam, it was only fasting that Allah said was his own, and will reward each person that engaged in it accordingly.
Babangida Aliyu however implored all Muslims not to fail in keeping Allah’s obligations by giving out the Zakatil fitr to the needy to enable them have something tọ feed their family on the sallah day.
Also speaking, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has enjoined moslems in the state to allow their lives reflect the unity, peace and love all irrespective of tribal or religious beliefs as part of Ramadan virtues.
The Etsu Nupe who called for sustained national peace, unity and above all positive development as the Ramadan fast ends felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the holy month and warmly congratulated them on the occasion of Eid el-Fitr celebration.
Addressing his community shortly after the two Raka’at prayers at the Eid praying ground in Bida, Bida, the traditional ruler expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting the faithful the strength, patience and spiritual fulfillment to observe the Ramadan fast.
The royal father admonished Muslims to continue to uphold the virtues imbibed during the holy month, including piety, love, charity, discipline and compassion because such values are essential for personal growth and societal harmony.
While appealing to Nigerians to intensify prayers for the peace, unity and progress of the country, the Etsu Nupe who encouraged wealthy Nigerians to continue to support those who have not noted that peace remains a veritable foundation without which no meaningful development can be achieved.
“I want to use this occasion of Eid el-Fitr celebration to call on wealthy individuals to continue to support the poor in order to alleviate their sufferings in society”.
The traditional ruler reminded the rich and wealthy Nigerians that, “God has endowed wealth on some individuals, not for themselves and their immediate families alone, but for the benefit of people around them and the entire society".
Nigerian NewsLeader newspaper correspondent reports that the Eid-el-fitr, though low-keyed, as most people have nothing to eat due to socio-economic hardship, was generally peaceful across Niger state. NNL.