Eid-el-Fitr: Apply lessons of Ramadan – Gov Mohammed to Muslims

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has urged Muslims in the country to apply the lessons of Ramadan in solving their personal, communal and national problems.

The Governor stated this in his goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah as they joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting.

Governor Mohammed said this year’s Eid-el-Fitr came after a highly demanding fast, which was observed amidst gruelling and unprecedented socio-economic challenges confronting the country.

“I wish to congratulate the Muslim Umma on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr. Coming after a highly demanding fast, amidst gruelling and unprecedented socio-economic, political and security challenges besetting our dear nation, this year’s Eid is therefore highly significant.

“Emerging from this worthy spiritual exercise, I enjoin you, more than ever before, to apply the lessons of the Ramadan towards solving personal, communal and national problems with the aim of deepening personal discipline, family values, love of one another, national unity and above all, our personal relationship with Allah,” the governor stated.

He said the rigorous self-denial, religious teachings and piety of the month of Ramadan had armed the faithful with the spiritual weapons of tolerance, forgiveness, love, mutual respect and the fear of God.

He asserted that with the virtues learnt during the fasting period, Nigerians can conquer hunger, greed suspicion, insecurity, among other threats that have not only eroded the confidence in government but also threatened Nigeria’s corporate existence.

“With these, we can defeat the cankerworms of hunger, greed, mutual suspicion, insecurity, nepotism, separatist agitations, etc. that put a wedge between our peoples, deepen mutual suspicion, erode confidence in government and threaten the country’s corporate existence.

“We must work hard at deepening the values of tolerance, love and peaceful co-existence and never take the relative peace we enjoy in Bauchi State or Allah’s mercies for granted.”

While lamenting the recent communal clash at Gudum Hausawa in the Bauchi metropolis, which led to the loss of lives, Governor Mohammed said the incident reminded the people that despite government efforts to ensure the security of lives and property, some miscreants were hell-bent on causing confusion in the state.

He informed that he had directed security agencies to dig into the remote and immediate causes of the incident to forestall a recurrence not only at Gudum Hausawa but also across the state.

“The unfortunate communal crisis that erupted in the Gudun Hausawa community of Bauchi State which led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties goes to remind us that, despite the sustained effort of the state government to ensure peace and the security of lives and property, there are still miscreants among us who are hell-bent on causing confusion and disorder. Such people do not represent who we are.

“I would, therefore, like to reiterate the resolve of the state government, to deal decisively with the perpetrators of the mayhem, some of whom have been arrested by the security agencies.

“I have also directed the security agencies to dig into the remote and immediate causes of the incident and to act, to forestall a recurrence not only at Gudum Hausawa but across all the communities in the state.

“As a government, we will not relent in our drive to ensure continuous peaceful coexistence among the heterogeneous ethnic and religious groups in the state.

“I appeal for your continued understanding, cooperation and support towards the realisation of this noble objective,” he stated.

The governor stated that his administration was mindful of the current economic difficulties being experienced by the people of the state, saying that the situation was a national problem.

“Let me reassure you that we are mindful of the economic difficulties being experienced by the people of the State, which is a national problem.

“My dear compatriots, as we mark the Eid El Fitr, let us spare a thought for our men and women under arms who, on a daily basis, place themselves on the frontlines and in harm’s way, that our peace, security and comfort may be guaranteed.

“We also remember their families and loved ones who, together with their spouses, bear a greater burden of the terrifying times in which we live. We must add our fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price for our liberty and ensure that their labours will never be in vain.”