President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said he would not rest until Nigerians see the country of their dream.
Buhari made the promise in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Nigerians, which he personally signed.
“Once again, I assure you that this administration, which has made the security, economic well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians its priority, will not rest on its oars until we see the Nigeria of our dream,” the President promised.
Buhari, who returned to the country penultimate Saturday after spending 104 days in London, United Kingdom on medical grounds, again thanked Nigerians who prayed for his recovery and had continued to extend their goodwill and support after his return to the country.
The President said, “Indeed your fervent and sincere prayers, which cut across religions, political and ethnic divides, have energised me to re-dedicate myself and this administration to the task of building a great Nigeria.
“On the joyous occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, I appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, keep our prejudices aside and strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity to keep our country together.
“For Muslims all over the world, this celebration is to commemorate the trials and triumph of Prophet Ibrahim.
“As we celebrate, I sincerely believe that our nation can make rapid progress on all fronts if we re-enact the exemplary virtues, typified by Prophet Ibrahim, through his sacrifice, patience, steadfastness, generosity and obedience to Allah’s command and constituted authority.”
He added, “We must learn to see ourselves as brothers and sisters from the same heritage, who must come to terms with the African proverb that ‘a family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break.’”
Also, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, on Thursday called on Nigerians to pray for Nigeria and rededicate themselves to building a strong, united, economically sound and politically stable country.
Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, felicitated with the Muslim faithful and urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the greater glory of the country.
He said, “This is a time we must be our brother’s keeper by sharing our worldly goods with them. This is a time we must pray for our leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, and all those saddled with the responsibilities of leadership at all levels in our country.
“With prayers, I have no doubt that God will inspire and guide our leaders to initiate and sustain policies and programmes that will guarantee peace, security, economic growth, political stability and social cohesion in our nation.”
Ekweremadu, in a separate statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, urged Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self sacrifice, forgiveness and other virtues that promote national unity and development.
The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have also called for more prayers for Nigeria as the nation’s Muslim faithful join their counterparts in the world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday enjoined Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use this period to imbibe the significance of the holy festival which is the celebration of sacrifice.
Odigie-Oyegun said, “We urge citizens to eschew all forms of violence, live in peaceful coexistence and be our brother’s keeper. Recently, the nation has witnessed some agitations with the potential of undermining the unity and our relationship across religious and ethnic divides.”
The PDP called on Nigerians not to see Eid-el-Kabir as an opportunity to party or engage in merry-making only. Rather, it asked them to see it as a time to pray for the country and its leaders.
The chairman of the party, Ahmed Makarfi, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
The statement read, “God in His infinite mercies and immeasurable powers has again afforded us the opportunity to celebrate yet another Eid-el-Kabir.
“As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, I would like to urge us to exhibit the spirit of love, obedience to God and sacrifice which are some of its hallmarks and historical significance.”
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