… cleric thanks God for Buhari’ s healing
President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki; and the Deputy
Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu , have urged Muslims to
pray for Nigeria as the Ramadan , an annual 30 -day fast,
begins.
This was just as a cleric, Chief Imam Abdulwaheed
Abubakar , thanked God for the healing of President
Muhammadu Buhari of the ailment that kept the President
away from the country throughout the Ramadan fast of last
year.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to
the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu , Buhari ,
on Thursday , joined Muslim faithful at a mosque located
inside the Presidential Villa , Abuja , for the Ramadan Tafsir
– the translation and explanation of the Holy Quran .
The statement read, “ At the Mosque in the Aso Rock Villa ,
Abuja , the Chief Imam, Abdulwaheed Abubakar , opened the
exercise with gratitude to Allah for freeing the President of
the ailment that kept him away from the country
throughout this period last year.
“ He wished President Buhari full health and the energy he
needs to discharge the requirements of his office. ”
Meanwhile, Saraki , in a statement by his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu , in Abuja on
Thursday, urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to
pray for continuous unity and peaceful coexistence in the
country.
Saraki said, “ The commencement of fast has yet provided us
with rare and unique opportunity to fervently pray over
the security situation of the country and call on Allah to
help us restore sanity and love among our countrymen and
women.
“ Nigerians , Muslims in particular , should make use of this
opportunity to pray for the end of insecurity and other
violent crimes threatening our existence both as a people
and nation.
“ Apart from being a time to assist the weak, vulnerable and
the less fortunate among us, let us utilise this period to
pray for continuous peace and unity in the country because
with Allah’s help all our individual and national challenges
are surmountable.”
Ekweremadu called on Muslims to pray for the peace and
security of Nigeria.
The Deputy Senate President , who made the call in his
goodwill message to Muslims issued by his Special Adviser
on Media , Uche Anichukwu , expressed concern over the
incessant killings across the country and urged Muslims to
pray for divine help for the country.
He said, “ The killings are quite disturbing . We have never
had it so bad in peacetime . Therefore, while the security
agencies do their best to end the carnage, I also call on our
Muslim brethren to fast and pray fervently in this holy
month of Ramadan for divine intervention in the security
and stability of the country.”
Also, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, his Nasarawa
State counterpart , Tanko Al -Makura, a former governor of
Osun State , Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and a former Speaker of
the House of Representatives , Dimeji Bankole, felicitated
with Muslim faithful in the country , urging them to
embrace peace.
Akeredolu , in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary ,
Segun Ajiboye , said , “ The Ramadan fasting period , being a
season of discipline and sacrifice , will give the Muslims
another opportunity to reflect on the essence of living a
holy life.”
On his own part , Bankole , in a statement by his media aide ,
Morgan Amodu , said, “ Let us take advantage of this holy
month to seek God ’s intervention in our collective affairs ,
because God is ever committed to His promises, in His
infinite mercy , all our concerns will be sorted.”
Al- Makura appealed to all religious leaders in the country
to preach love , unity and message of reconciliation .
He urged Muslim faithful not to engage in controversial
issues that were capable of causing disunity in the country .
Oyinlola , who is a chieftain of the African Democratic
Congress, congratulated Muslims on the commencement of
Ramadan fast , urging them to use the period to pray for the
peace of Nigeria and peaceful conduct of the upcoming
elections in Osun and Ekiti states.
