Oluwatosin Lamidi
As Muslims in Lagos join their counterparts globally to celebrate Eid-el Maulud, which is the birth of Prophet Mohammed today, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Speaker of the State house of assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, have called on Muslims to offer special prayers for greater peace, unity and continuous progress of Nigeria.
Ambode, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, urged Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet by promoting peaceful existence.
While imploring Nigerians to shun ethnic, political and religious differences and work towards building a safer and better Nigeria, Ambode said the celebration of the birth of the Prophet should renew the faith and bond of unity as one people and one nation irrespective of diversity.
According to him, “On the occasion of the commemoration of the birth of the holy Prophet, it is imperative to reflect on his teachings and uphold his legacies of unity, integrity, peaceful coexistence and love for one’s neighbour, which are indispensable in our quest for meaningful development and the profitable management of our diversity.”
Ambode also urged Muslim to internalize the virtues of honesty, selflessness, charity, tolerance, good neighbourliness, justice, equity and fairness which Mohammed (PBUH) preached, saying such will go a long way to engender national development.
“I want to seize this occasion to urge all Nigerians to commit themselves to making a greater effort to imbibe these qualities and values as they celebrate the Prophet’s birth”.
“I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters in Nigeria and Lagos in particular a happy Eid-el-Maulud”, he said.
Obasa, in a separate statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Razak, stated that the country will continue to develop and grow if the citizens display love and understanding not only among themselves but also to the government.
“The Prophet was a man of peace and he shared the message of love and peace through the religion of Islam throughout his life time. He showed understanding for the various faiths and beliefs in Madinah during his lifetime and he never discriminated against any religion, groups or persons during his life,” the Lagos Assembly Speaker said.
According to him, “We should emulate and imbibe these qualities from the Holy Prophet so that our country will continue to grow”.
He urged Nigerians to show understanding with the government at all levels noting that government is desirous of making life better for the citizens no matter the current challenges it is facing.
Obasa urged Nigerians to therefore, shun violence, and desist from any act that could lead to breakdown of law and order.
“The only way you can do this is by sharing love and understanding among yourselves which is the major ingredient for a peaceful co-existence, the main message of Prophet Muhammad and Islam,” he said.
