The Acting Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, has implored Muslims to remain steadfast in applying the virtues of Ramadan through sustained supplication, hospitality and good neighbourliness, as well as imbibe the spirit of sharing in their daily lives as they celebrate this year’s El-el-Fitr.
The Governor of the state, Engr Abdullahi Sule and other Muslim faithful are currently performing the Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Dr Akabe in a Sallah message issued in Lafia and signed by him, called on citizens of the state to continue to pray for peace, security and economic prosperity of the State.
He felicitated with Muslim faithful in the state as they join millions of Nigerians and other brethren across the globe to mark the 2021 Eid-el-Fitr (Sallah) celebration.
“For the past twenty-nine (29) days, Muslims the world over have observed the fasting in the sacred month of Ramadan in compliance with the Islamic injunction.
“As you are all aware, fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, aimed at strengthening our faith through spiritual engagements such as abstinence from eating, drinking and satisfying other desires from dawn to sunset.
“It also encompasses intense prayers, recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, as well as increased acts of kindness, charity and humility, among other moral virtues.
“I wish to remind us that occasion such as this calls for the Ummah to reflect on their relationships with God and fellow human beings as a yardstick for righteous living love and peaceful co-existence in the society. It is in view of this that I urge the people to continue to preach peace, show love, understanding, tolerance and good neighbourliness amongst ourselves and humanity at large.
“We should also pray for His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State and other Muslim faithful who are currently performing the Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, as we also hope that they are equally praying for the general well-being of the State and, indeed, the nation at large. It is my hope and prayer that Almighty Allah will reward their acts of worship and grant them journey mercies as they return home after the completion of the Lesser Hajj.
“My dear brethren, perhaps, I should take the liberty of this festive period to reiterate on the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. I need to state that we have received the first dose of Astra Zeneca Vaccine and distributed same across the Primary Healthcare Centres in the State,” Dr Akabe said.
The acting governor therefore, called on religious and opinion leaders to continue to sensitise the public on the need to accept the vaccine and get vaccinated for the well-being of the society, while reiterating that the protection of lives of citizens remains the desire of government hence the need to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.
Dr Akabe also called on the people of the state to continue to accommodate each other’s beliefs and values in order to sustain peace, harmony, socio-cultural and economic prosperity.
“I, therefore, assure our brothers from other parts of the country that Nasarawa State is a cosmopolitan society that accommodates everybody irrespective of tribe, region, religion or any other creed for the sake of humanity,” he stated.
He appealed to motorists and other road users to obey traffic regulations and called on the Federal Road Safety Corp and other security agencies to continue to be vigilant during festive period and also intensify efforts in controlling traffic to safeguard lives and property of the people.
On his part, the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, has charged muslem to pray for the security and peace of the state and the country at large.
In a statement by the Press Secretary to the speaker, Jibrin Gwamna which was made available to newsmen in Lafia, called on the public to continue to pray and strive for the nation’s unity, peace, progress and development.
Abdullahi, who noted that the struggling economy and it’s repercussions on the masses is deep also urged wealthy individuals in the society to extend hands of love to the less privileged in order to give them a sense of belonging in the society.
He enjoined political, religion, traditional and community leaders to continue to preach peace and love among their followers, as he appealed to all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Bahari and Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s administrations and other leaders at all Levels so as to fast track development.
Meanwhile the commissioner of Police, Nasarawa state command, Bola Longe has ordered frequent surveillance and visibility policing across the state to forestall any breach of peace and ensure hitch-free celebrations on the occasion of the Sallah celebration.
The CP in a statement made available to newsmen in Lafia by the police image maker, Ramhan Namsel enjoins citizens to go about the celebrations without any fear or apprehension noting that,the Divisional Police officers (DPOs), Operational Commanders and their supervisory Area commanders were directed to ensure the safety and security of the public .
The statement states that the Strategic Officers will strengthen the visibility policing structure and carry-out confidence building patrols particularly around residential areas, major highways and Government/Private infrastructures to prevent and arrest any ugly situation.
The Command enjoins members of the public to report any suspicious movement around their neighborhood to the nearest police station.
“Consequently, the State Police Command is committed to providing an enabling environment for a hitch-free celebration. Sequel to this, Four thousand, five hundred Police Personnel have been strategically deployed to cover major towns, Eid praying grounds, junctions, recreational centres and other public places, while rigorous patrol will be sustained on our highways for the safety of travellers.
“Furthermore, undercover operatives have also been deployed to nook and crannies of the State for surveillance and information gathering.
“The State Command also wishes to call on the good people of the State to live in peace with one another irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation and report any likely breach of peace in their area to the Police for prompt action.
In case of any distress or emergency before, during, and after the festive period, the general publics are advice to call: 08108795930, 08112692680, 08037461715 and 08032875187,” the statement reads in part.