By Egena Sunday Ode
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Lagos, urged citizens to continue embodying the lessons of patience, tolerance, and neighbourliness drawn from the seasons of Ramadan and Lent as a foundation for nation-building.
The President, who spoke to reporters after the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the Dodan Barrack, said the bedrock of development lies in peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
“I pray for peace in the country. The stability, peace and security of the nation is not just one man’s responsibility. We are all involved. Report suspicious movements of people across the length and breadth of the country. These are our responsibilities too,’’ he said.
President Tinubu, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the spiritual emphasis on charity and kindness to others should go beyond the fasting period.
“We give thanks to God for guiding us through the month of Ramadan. We have accepted the principles, philosophy and doctrine of giving, peace, security and love of our nation, and of neighbours, and kindness to all humanity in any way we can.
“We should assist the needy and help the vulnerable. That is the teaching. May God accept our sacrifices.
“We must continue not because Ramadan has come and it’s over. We thank almighty God for giving us that month. But the teaching must continue even after Ramadan. We must continue to be our brother’s keeper. Good behaviour, good neighbours, and love for humanity”.
President Tinubu noted that the focus of all religions in the country remains the worship of one God, and that the character of citizens must reflect deep spiritual values drawn from prayers, the study of the holy scriptures, meditation, and penitence, the statement noted.
He said the task of nation-building is collective, inclusive and shared by all Nigerians, urging more emphasis on the beauty of diversity and the unity of the country.
On his visit to the United Kingdom with his wife, the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the reception by His Majesty, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla, the President described the honour as a reflection of Nigeria’s place in the emerging global economy.
“Our visit was a very big opportunity for us to be a good example of the diversity in our society, being able to accept one another as our brothers’ keepers. Tolerance among all faiths. The fact that we worship the same God doesn’t mean our styles have to be the same. Our behaviour could be different, but we serve God Almighty,’’ the President stated.
The Deputy. Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, said the government and people of the state will continue to pray for peace and the well-being of all citizens in the country.
He thanked the President for his continued support of the state.
In his sermon, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, who led the Eid al-Fitr prayer, reminded the Muslim Ummah of the significance of Ramadan and the need for the faithful to continue to live in the virtues of penitence and piety.
Abou-Nolla urged citizens to continue seeking peace and brotherhood, despite the challenges worldwide.
” Today, we are witnessing a world unsettled by tensions and fear. Nations are on edge, and economies are fragile. For Nigerians, especially the good citizens of this great nation, this is a time for calmness, not chaos—a time for wisdom, not provocation. Ours is a religion of peace and discipline and care,” the Imam said.
The president was accompanied to the Eid ground by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; associates and family members.
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