Jonathan calls for peace and support as Muslims celebrate Eid-El-Kabir

Goodluck Jonathan
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Jonathan calls for peace and support as Muslims celebrate Eid-El-Kabir

President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined Nigerians to deploy the virtues imbibed in this pious season in support of his administration’s transformation agenda.

Jonathan made the appeal in his Eid-El-Kabir message to the Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general.

In the message, the President noted that Eid-El-Kabir is a festival of sacrifice that commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to the will of Allah.

Call for sacrifice

Jonathan said that his administration's efforts to transform the country would require that Nigerians make more sacrifices to build a better nation for present and future generations.

He gave the assurance that his administration’s efforts to transform the nation would soon bear positive fruits.

“I am certain that this administration's plans for rapid national development will soon begin to bear fruit and fulfil the yearnings of our country men and women for qualitative changes in their lives”, the President said.

He also called on Nigerians to continue to work for the peace and stability of the nation as, according to him, the anticipated progress would be more readily achieved with peace and security in all parts of the country:

“As we labour to grow and develop our country, it is important that we eschew all vices, including religious and social violence that can disrupt the peace and stability of our nation.”

He also congratulated all Nigerians who had undertaken the pilgrimage to the Holy Land this year and wished them Allah's mercies as they travel back home.

He urged them to seize the opportunity of the Eid-El-Kabir holiday to reflect on how the ideals and virtues of peace, harmony and brotherly love, taught by Islam and other religions could be harnessed more in addressing challenges confronting the nation.

Other messages

In other messages, Senate President David Mark appealed to Muslims to lift their spirits, pray for the nation and tackle challenges facing the nation with new hope and vision while the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal solicited tolerance and harmony among Nigerians.

Yobe bomb attacks

Meanwhile, President Jonathan has charged security forces to fish out the culprits of Friday’s bomb attacks in Yobe State, in north east Nigeria, which claimed over 50 lives.

In a statement from the Presidency, Jonathan said the attacks were not justifiable especially as they came during the Sallah season which signifies love, brotherhood, friendship and good neighbourliness.

He regretted the wastage of innocent lives and property and commiserated with families of the victims.
The statement said President Jonathan put off all his public engagements on Saturday, including the wedding of his brother, because of the sad event.

The attacks

Yobe State Police Commissioner Sulemon Usman confirmed to newsmen that bombs, rocket launchers and guns were used in the attacks on security outfits and some public buildings in the state.

The Islamist sect Boko Haram has since claimed responsibility for the attacks.

VON correspondents/Ekata