President Bola Tinubu has joined other Nigerian Muslims to perform the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground in Lagos.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, ex-works minister Babatunde Fashola, and other top government functionaries accompanied the president.
In his sermon, the chief imam of Lagos, Suleiman Abu-Nolah, said the festivity promotes the culture of sacrifice, unity and tolerance among the Muslim faithful.
“The religion does not permit the practice of selfishness, intolerance or sectionalism. We should use the occasion to reflect on the various challenges facing the country and use it to rectify whatever is our challenge through prayer to God almighty,” stated Mr Abu-Nolah.
The chief imam prayed for the continued peace, progress and stability of Nigeria and called on all Nigerians to imbibe the values of Prophet Ibrahim.
Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s well-being.
“We must sacrifice for the nation because praying and loving is part of our duty as citizens because it is what will make the nation great,” he said.
Mr Gbajabiamila, in his speech, said that the president would continue to give hope to Nigerians by implementing people-oriented policies. He said that the president would need the prayers of Nigerians to continue the various initiatives towards turning the country into the dream of our founding fathers.
“As the president returns to Abuja, he will need your prayers, and as he moves to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, he will also need your prayers. The weight of the task is daunting, but with the prayers and support of all Nigerians, the president will surely surmount them,” he said.
(NAN)
