A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Sokoto – The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for introducing `Change Begins With Me' campaign in Nigeria.
"The president deserves commendation for making this bold move christened, The Change begins With me,'' he said.
Abubakar spoke in Sokoto on Monday when, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, paid him the traditional Sallah homage.
Abubakar said: "the campaign cannot come at a better time than now when Nigeria is in dire need of change.
"Change is, however, very unpalatable and pretty difficult as such Nigerians should be cooperative and patient.
"Destruction is always very easy, while reconstruction takes more time and patience is required.''
The monarch said Nigerians should start the campaign by self-appraisal, adding: "we should look inwards, reappraise our behaviours and our attitudes from our various and workplaces.
"We should start and contribute to the campaign by re-orientating ourselves and this should be done by Nigerians at all levels.''
Abubakar further acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the government to revamp education, agriculture, security and all facets of life.
The sultan maintained, "the situation should never remain as usual'', if Nigeria must truly change for the better.
He commended the state government for setting up a special committee to restore the lost glory of education in the state.
"I have agreed to chair the committee out of my desire to see to the growth and development of the state and Nigeria, in general.
"Education is the only key to Nigeria's development and parents should allow their children to acquire both western and religious education,'' Abubakar added.
Tambuwal had told the sultan that the visit was to appreciate his sustained royal prayers, advice and wise counsel.
He commended the sultan for his relentless efforts to ensure lasting peace and unity in Nigeria and beyond.
The governor promised to work to ensure the planned resettlement efforts of fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.
Tambuwal maintained that the planned establishment of grazing reserves by the Federal Government was the only panacea to the recurring clashes between fulani herdsmen and farmers.
Ijebu-Ode (Ogun) – The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has urged political office holders in all tiers of government not to renege on their promises to Nigerians.
He made the plea in his goodwill message to Muslim faithful during the Eid-el-Kabir prayer held on Monday in Ijebu-Ode.
According to the monarch, political office holders should endeavour to redeem their electoral promises to the electorate to build trust and foster unity.
He advised leaders to remain accountable, especially in the use of public funds, and to also create solutions to youth unemployment.
"Education, employment and infrastructural development remain key toward enabling the rapid development of our economy.
"Politicians, who serve uprightly and diligently, should expect that their services would bring them rewards both on earth and afterlife.
"I pray God to continue to be with our leaders and guide them in making the right decisions while discharging their duties," Adetona said.
The monarch further appealed to the Ogun government to speed up completion of road projects in Ijebu-Ode and promptly pick-up of refuse to minimise the risks of health hazards.
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, Alhaji Abdulrasak Salaudeen, in his message, urged Nigerian leaders to serve with the fear of God and be sensitive to the plight of the people.
Salaudeen also urged the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts to rid the nation of terrorism, stem the tide of corruption and tackle the recession facing the country.
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has okayed forgery charge against former General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church, Reverend Paul Emeka.
A document sighted by Vanguard on Sunday revealed that the Inspector General of Police returned Rev. Emeka’s case-file to the AGF following a letter dated June 18, which was signed by the immediate past Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri.
Equally attached to the documents Police submitted to the AGF included a full investigation report on a complaint the Incorporated Incorporated Trustees of the Assembles of God Nigeria lodged against erstwhile leader of the church.Rev Paul Emeka
English giants Manchester United have recorded record revenues of £515.3m (about N2.319 trillion) for the 2016 financial year, becoming the first UK football club to do so.
In a year when it won the FA Cup, the Old Trafford club also signed 14 sponsorship deals, and saw commercial, matchday and TV revenues all rise.
The club is now predicting 2017 revenues of up to £540m, even though it is not in the Champions League this season. Under new boss Jose Mourinho they are currently third in the Premier League.
The club's accounts up until June 30 confirm that the Premier League club was the first British team to break the half-billion mark. The figure is short of the ?679m (about £570m or N2.565 trillion) revenue revealed in July by Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
"Our record fiscal 2016 financial performance reflects the continued underlying strength of the business and the club is on target to achieve record revenues in 2017.
"This is even without a contribution from the Champions League," said executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. "This strong financial performance has enabled us to invest in our squad, team management and facilities to position us to challenge for, and win, trophies in the coming years.''
The big figures for Manchester United have slightly exceeded their own expectations of £510m revenues for the year to June 30, 2016.
As has been the case for a number of years now, commercial income is roaring ahead, with a 36.3 per cent increase in that sector alone to £268.3m.
To put it into context, that figure would have put United 11th in the latest Deloitte Rich List, ahead of Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma. The only slight downer is that United cannot claim to be the first football club to generate annual revenue in excess of £500m.
That claim belongs to FC Barcelona, who benefited from a stronger Euro against the pound post-Brexit. On the commercial front during the 2015-16 season, the club activated its new kit sponsor and supply deal with Adidas, which it says "was a very successful launch".
In addition it brought the management of Old Trafford Megastore in-house, and signed several licensing deals including with Sbenu, New Era and Columbia. Commercial revenue for the year was £268.3m, an increase of £71.4m, or 36.3 per cent, over the previous year.
Meanwhile, broadcasting revenue for the year was £140.4m. It was an increase of £32.7m, or 30.4 per cent, on the previous year, which the club says was "primarily due to participation in Uefa competitions".
And matchday revenue was £106.6m, an increase of £16.0m, or 17.7 per cent on 2014-15, largely due to that European participation and the club's run to the FA Cup final.
The club's ambitious revenue target for 2016-17 will be helped by the new Premier League TV deals. According to the club, "domestic live broadcasting rights (are) up 70 per cent and international rights up approximately 40 per cent for the 2017 to 2019 cycle''.
The former Niger Delta militants, under the Amnesty Programme have, have appealed to the Federal Government to pay their three months outstanding stipends.
Mr Ramsey Mukoro, leader of the third phase of the amnesty scheme, said that his group had not been paid for the past three months.
The Chairman of the second phase in Bayelsa, Mr Ebina Salvation, in a statement made available to Newsmen in Yenagoa on Monday, said the non-payment of the stipends was a burden to ex-agitators.
Salvation noted that the existing peace in the Niger Delta was as a result of the amnesty programme. He said that the delay in the payment of stipends to ex-militants was regrettable, adding that protests from them could endanger the peace.
Salvation, therefore, pleaded with the government to release adequate funds to the Amnesty Office for effective implementation of the programme.
He also urged the Federal Government to go back to the blueprint of the amnesty programme and implement its content by interfacing with the Coordinator of the scheme, retired Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh and the ex-agitators.
Salvation restated that the Amnesty Office under the leadership of Boroh was doing well and therefore should not be blamed for the delay in the payment of their stipends.
"We, therefore, describe the allegations of the faction as false, baseless, mischievous and wicked. "The allegations lack substance and should be thrown to the dustbin of history by all right thinking persons.
"We, therefore, urge members of the group to discountenance, Stephen Ebisintei's, display of falsehood which is a figment of his imagination and that of his co-travelers," he said.
Salvation maintained that the CBN was not Amnesty Phase 2 Office but bank accountable and rendering services to all Nigerians, both nationally and internationally.
He, therefore, called on the security agents to be alert, urging them to find out from amnesty office the recognised leadership of the Phase to enable them to stop people using the name to issue unnecessary treats and publications.
"That is the only way to hold people responsible if anything happens. Our leadership is enlightened, reasonable, law abiding and has respect for elders and the government," he said.
Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, Liaison Officer at the Bayelsa Office of the Amnesty Officer, declined comments when contacted by pressmen for reaction on the outstanding stipends.
Crystal Palace defender Pape Souare has been airlifted to hospital after a car crash on the M4 motorway in London, even though his injuries are said not to be life-threatening.
The 26-year-old injured his thigh and jaw bone in Sunday's crash and will stay in hospital while he receives treatment.
He was not part of the Palace side which beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on Saturday.
"The club are liaising closely with the hospital on his progress,'' Palace said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with Pape and his family at this time.''
The Senegal full-back, who joined the club from French side Lille in January 2015, last played for Palace in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on Aug. 27.
Souare is an important member of the club, having played in the 2016 FA Cup final, which Crystal Palace lost 1-2 against Manchester United after extra time.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Boboye Oyeyemi, on Sunday listed emergency phone numbers for travellers. He also wished Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, a safe Sallah celebration.
Boboye Oyeyemi
In a Sallah message signed by FRSC's spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, Mr. Oyeyemi said adequate logistics provisions had been put in place to tackle road traffic obstructions for a crash-free celebration.
Mr. Oyeyemi cautioned motorists against dangerous driving, overloading and speed limit violation which he said were the major causes of road traffic crashes in the country.
He said the significance of Sallah is centered around devotion and obedience to the will of Allah, which Prophet Ibrahim exemplified by his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail.
Mr. Oyeyemi said there were great lessons to be learnt from the obedience showed to God by Prophet Ibrahim even in the modern era.
"Eid-El Kabir celebration teaches us how to show obedience to God in all that we do as human beings," Mr. Kazeem quoted Mr. Oyeyemi as saying.
"As the Muslim Ummah observe the feast, let everyone celebrate with the spirit of obedience to God and recognise the sanctity of human lives by obeying all traffic rules and regulations and avoiding acts capable of undermining safety of other road users.
"People should, therefore, avoid overloading, speed limit violation, dangerous driving and phoning/texting while driving and also avoid the use of worn-out/expired tyres.
"As a build up towards October 1 commencement of nationwide enforcement, he also urged commercial vehicles operators to install speed limiting device, because it is only the living that can celebrate," he said.
Mr. Oyeyemi implored Nigerians to assist traffic officers and security personnel deployed to manage the traffic by conducting themselves in safe and orderly manner. He said FRSC patrol and rescue teams have been put on alert to assist road travellers, while the help areas/roadside clinics across the country would remain open to attend to emergencies.
Mr. Oyeyemi said members of the public should notify FRSC of any urgent situation through its emergency line:0700-CALL-FRSC(0700-22553772) or Toll-free line: 122 for immediate response.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, says the so called Fulani herdsmen moving with guns, causing violence, fighting with farmers are not Nigerians, but foreign terrorists.
Abubakar stated this in his Eid el-Kabir message to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. According to him, these are foreigners coming into Nigeria to cause a breach of the peace.
"They are therefore terrorists and should be treated as such by the Nigerian security agencies. "The Nigerian herdsmen are very peace-loving and law abiding," he said.
The Sultan, who noted with concern that some ''bad eggs" had infiltrated the Fulani herdsmen, challenged the security agencies to be proactive.
Abubakar, however, acknowledged that there were problems between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers, which should only be resolved through dialogue. The monarch further stressed the need for all Nigerians to live peacefully with each other, irrespective of any religious or ethnic differences.
The sultan also underscored the imperative of sustainable peace, if the country was to fully develop. Abubakar further said, "Nigeria would continue to lag behind if there is no peace and unity.
"Our diversity should be our strength and God has not made a mistake by creating us with diverse differences," he said.
On the ongoing " hardship" in the country, the Sultan appealed to Nigerians to go back to the farms. He also urged Nigerians to learn to be more productive, rather than solely waiting for the government to provide all their needs.
Abubakar also commended the three tiers of government for their ongoing efforts to provide succour to Nigerians.
The monarch promised to continue to offer prayers, and provide wise counsel to the Federal and state governments. He also stressed the need for leaders at all levels to continue to be just to all Nigerians, irrespective of any religious and political differences.
The event was witnessed by second republic President Shehu Shagari, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu and Africa's business mogul, Aliko Dangote, among other dignitaries.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has called off plans to visit the US west coast after a health challenge at an event commemorating the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York.
A local media reported that Clinton had been scheduled to travel to California on Monday and Tuesday but her campaign office said she had cancelled it.
Clinton was said to have cancelled the plan because she had been suffering from pneumonia since Friday.
The former secretary of state made an early exit from the memorial event with a video shared widely on social media appearing to show her stumbling and requiring assistance as she got into a van.
An initial statement from spokesman Nick Merrill said that Clinton had "felt overheated" after spending 90 minutes at the 9/11 ceremony. Clinton's doctor, Lisa Bardack, later issued a statement, saying the former first lady had become overheated and was suffering from dehydration after having been diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday. "Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies. On Friday, during follow up evaluation of her prolonged cough, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. "She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule," Bardack said. After the incident Clinton was taken to her daughter Chelsea's residence, from which she later emerged and said: "I'm feeling great, it's a beautiful day in New York," a local media reported.
The episode comes amid recent speculation about the state of Clinton's health by supporters of Republican candidate Donald Trump, which Clinton's camp has dismissed as conspiracy mongering.
Neither 68-year-old Clinton nor 70-year-old Trump has released their official medical records.
Pastor Segun Adewumi, the National President, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association says cassava can generate over N20 trillion for the country, annually if adequately utilised.
Adewumi stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
Cassava Tubers
He said that cassava which was one of the most reliable cash crops in the world that could also be used to trigger industrial revolution and solve Nigeria's economic problems.
Adewumi lamented that the country spent over N600 billion yearly to import ethanol and starch which were cassava derivatives that could be processed and sourced locally.
According to him, cassava has over 20 food types and three major industrial products like ethanol, starch and cassava flour which are raw materials for other products.
"Government should pay more attention to cassava, it has been neglected.
"By the time cassava is accorded the needed attention, it will take over crude oil. We have been trying to set up industries that will utilise cassava for the benefit of this country,'' he said.
Adewumi called on both the Federal and State Governments to provide lands for farmers to boost mechanise cassava farming.
The national president noted that modern cassava cultivation required mechanisation to meet up with international best practices. He explained that making cultivable land available to cassava farmers would improve yields and create employment.
"When we import, we are exporting our job opportunities. The government should encourage setting up of industries and mechanise cassava farms. "I do not expect the government to give us free money, but to provide enabling environment by making loans and lands available.
"The only area where the government can come in with money is provision of infrastructure. " By the time we begin to have 500,000 hectares for mechanisation, the country will get out of this foreign exchange problem,'' he explained.
LOKOJA – Kogi Sate Governor, Yahaya Bello, has charged Nigerian to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari over the present economic recession; said in no distant time, Nigeria will be out of the economic comatose.
Bello while assuring Nigeria said the economic position of the country presently may not look good enough, said he knows that the President has what it takes to move the country out of the recession.
Governor Bello stated this in Lokoja shortly after observing the Eid-el-kabir prayer in at the Felele central praying ground where he was accompanied by large crowd who waited and follow him to government House after the prayer.
The Governor also said the state has keyed into the economic blue print of the Federal government in area of providing employment to the teaming unemployed youths.Yahaya Bello : I am not ready to renege on my promise
“Over 100,000 youth and women would be empowered through the line up empowerment programmes of the state government.
“My administration is youth based, we are rolling out this employment scheme as a way of reducing unemployment and to prevent ‘Abuja based politicians’ from using them to cause crises in the state.”
Bello who sued for peace and unity among the people of the state irrespective of religion and ethnic affinity, urged them to live together as one entity to enable the state enjoy the patronage of foreign investors, “We are doing our best to woo foreign investors to the state and without absolute peace and unity among the people, the state cannot enjoy such opportunity”, the governor said.
The Chief Imam of Lokoja, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba in his sermon cautioned Muslims against bad conduct, “It is imperative for Muslims to embrace good conduct which is the basis of the Eid-El-Kabir.”
While reminding them of death that can occurred at any time, the Islamic cleric charged them to love one another and support the governor, said Bello have shown sign of improving the living standard of the people.
The Imam while praying for Kogi state and the country at large, urged Nigerians to be patience with their leaders, assuring that with patience and perseverance the country can be better again.
The Chief Imam of Bogobiri Central Mosque in Calabar, Alhaji Garba Turawa, has said that Nigerians must come together as a united country and work in harmony to save Nigeria by salvaging the challenges plaguing the country.
The cleric also called on all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari's administration as it has taken the onerous task of fixing the anomaly in the country.
Turawa made the call in an interview with newsmen shortly after the Eid prayers in Calabar on Monday.
According to him, the present administration needs the support of all stakeholders' to overcome the present economic challenges. He also enjoined Muslims and Christians to pray for the progress of the country, saying that Nigeria needed peace and unity for development to take place.
`During this period of Sallah celebration, I enjoined Muslims to capitalise on the spirit of the festival to pray for genuine peace, unity and progress of Nigeria and its leadership.
"I strongly believe that Nigeria's economy will bounce back. I am calling on all Nigerians to support the present administration in its determination to fix the country's economic challenges. "As Nigerians, we must learn how to tolerate one another. It is time we come together as a united country to pray and work together so that we can overcome our challenges,'' he said.
Chief Imam of Bauchi Central Mosque, Sheikh Ahmed Baban-Inna, said on Monday that the people of North East sub-region would remain indebted to President Muhammadu Buhari for coming to their rescue at a critical period.
Delivering his Eid-El-Kabir sermon in Bauchi, Baban-Inna said that but for the dogged determination of the President in tackling the security threat posed by insurgents, the story would have been different today.
He noted that at the peak of the security threat, a lot of inconveniences were experienced in the course of practicing ones religion and celebration of religious festivities was almost impossible.
He therefore urged the people to support the president and other leaders for the country to progress.
The imam also harped on the significance of Eid-El-Kabir, urging Muslims to live by its teachings.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall that started at about 3am Monday and lasted till 9.30am, had led to low turn-out of Muslim faithful at Eid prayer grounds across the state.
Most of those who were able to make it to the venues of the congregation arrived late.
Few women and children, who in the past, constituted a large chunk of attendants, were able to make it to the Eid ground, just as traffic movement reduced drastically in Bauchi metropolis.
The metropolis also recorded less of other activities that used to accompany the celebrations, such as horse-riding as well as visits to amusement parks, friends and relations.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi Police Command, ASP Mohammed Mahmud, told newsmen that the occasion was celebrated peacefully across the state.
"So far, there is no report of ugly incident in any part of the state. It is therefore safe to conclude that as I am talking to you now, everything is going on peacefully in Bauchi State," he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday felicitated with Muslim Faithful over the Eid el-Kabir season and urged all Nigerians to embrace the "Change-Begins-with-Me" campaign. This is contained in a statement signed by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in Abuja and made available to newsmen.
Odigie-Oyegun urged Muslims and all Nigerians to use the Sallah occasion to show love, promote harmonious and peaceful co-existence with one another, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation. He further urged Nigerians to pray for the peace and quick recovery of the nation's economy.
"Muslim Faithful and indeed all Nigerians are enjoined to use the occasion of Eid el-Kabir to pray for the peace, development and prosperity of the country," he said. He called on Nigerians to support the administration as it works assiduously to pull the country out of the present hardship and restore the country on the path of growth in all facets.
"Indeed, Nigeria is today passing through challenging times in its socio-economic life. "Happily, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration is already employing all legitimate and innovative means to restore the country's battered economy to health in the quickest possible time.
"In a bold move to repair our value system that has been badly eroded over the years, on Sept. 8, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the laudable national re-orientation campaign, "Change Begins with Me''.
"The party appeals to all Nigerians to be part of this campaign which will institutionalise the best practice and time-honoured values of honesty, hard work, patriotism, abhorrence of corruption, accountability and integrity in our everyday life," he said.
Daura (Katsina State) – President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday joined Muslim faithful at Kofar-Arewa Eid-ground, Daura in Katsina to observe the Eid-el kabir prayer.
The prayer, which started at about 9:45 a.m. was led by the Daura Emirate Chief Imam, Sheikh Safiyanu Yusuf.
In his sermon, Yusuf stressed the importance of sacrifice in Islam, adding that it could be done with ram, sheep, goats, cattle and camel.
Yusuf said that the sacrifice could not be done with animal with one eye, ear, broken horn, cut tail, cripple, sick and malnourished, adding that no part of the sacrifice should be sold.
The Imam revealed that sacrifice should be done only with the intention of getting closer to the Almighty Allah.President Buhari, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar and Magajin Gari of Daura Alhaji Musa Umar at the Eid-El-Kabir Prayer in Daura Katsina on 12th Sep 2016
"One should mention the name of Allah while slaughtering the animal,'' he said.
Yusuf also explained that sacrifice could also be performed two days after the Eid-el kabir day, and the meat given to the poor and needy.
President Buhari and the Emir of Daura slaughtered their rams after the prayer at the ground.
The prayer was attended, by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouq, Director-General, Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Alhaji Garba Shehu, traditional rulers in the Emirate, among others.
Eid-el kabir prayer is perform on 10th day of Zulhajj, the twelve month of Islamic calendar.
Millions of Muslims performing this year's pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia continued to observe the rites, with the successful completion of stoning of the devil. The event had caused anxiety among Saudi authorities and pilgrims following the death of about 3,000 pilgrims in a stampede at the venue of the event during 2015 pilgrimage.
At least 317 Nigerians had lost their lives during the incident while five others are still missing. To avoid a repeat of the ugly incident, the Saudi authorities introduced stringent measures to guide the conduct of pilgrims during the event.
They threatened to sanction any pilgrim and country for breach of any of the rules.
The measures include drawing up timetable which allocated time when pilgrims of each country were expected to perform the rite.
Similarly, all pilgrims were required to return to their respective tents in Muna from Arafat instead of proceeding straight to the stoning site.
Also pilgrims would only be allowed to the venue of the stoning in batches of 250.
However, as early as 2:00 a.m., thousands of pilgrims proceeded to the venue of the stoning (Jamrat) after spending a night at Muzdalifah as required.
Contrary to the earlier information of such action attracting a sanction, security agents did not block any pilgrim but simply ensured they carried out the rites in an orderly manner.
Those pilgrims who returned to their tents in compliance with the earlier directive, soon joined their colleagues. It is not yet clear why the authorities went back on their earlier directive.
The exercise, however, went on without any incident. Meanwhile, some Nigerians on Monday turned into barbers as they took advantage of shortage of barbers at the pilgrims' tents to make brisk business.
It is required that each male pilgrim shaves his head after stoning the devil. Many of the barbers, who are also pilgrims, were charging between five and 10 Riyals per pilgrim for the service.
Lagos – Sen. Bola Tinubu, a National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that economic restrategising and replanning are necessary to achieve sustainable national prosperity.
Tinubu sais this after Eid prayers at Dodan Barracks praying ground in Lagos on Monday that lack of solid foundation contributed to the nation's current economic situation.
"Without a good and solid foundation, we cannot achieve a sustainable economic prosperity. We depended solely on one channel of revenue.
"So, we need to restrategise and replan, but that planning period is always a very difficult period in any family, organisation and nation.Tinubu
"That is what we are experiencing now, but it is for a better and stronger future.
"The political and economic stability we are enjoying in Lagos today is as a result of a solid foundation,'' he said.
In her message, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, urged Nigerians to uphold the significance of Eid-el Kabir, total trust and obedience to God, to accelerate the pace of economic recovery.
Adebule also urged them to celebrate peacefully and reach out to the less privileged among them.
"We can only enjoy Allah's favour when we totally trust and obey His will. He is our creator and He knows what is best for us as individuals and as a nation,'' Adebule said.
Also, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, leader, House of Representatives, called on Nigerians to be patient and not lose hope.
Gbajabiamila said that President Muhammadu Buhari was making effort to reform the economy.
"I urge us to be prayerful and by God's grace we shall get better and stronger as a nation,'' he said.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni, called for reflection on the significance of Eid-el Kabir and modest celebration to reduce crime.
Owoseni advised residents to be security conscious and cooperate with security agents to ensure a crime-free celebration.
In his words, Sheikh Garuba Akinola-Ibrahim, Chief Imam of Lagos, called for greater sacrifice from both government and citizens to survive the period of recession in the country.
"In the spirit of Eid-el Kabir, we urge the government to double up efforts to avoid our situation from getting to a critical stage which can rub off negatively on all government's achievements so far.
"I also urged the citizens to exercise patience and be prayerful in this trying period.
"We need to focus on our strength in diversity and utilise our unique gifts to improve our present economy,'' Akinola-Ibrahim said. (NAN)
President Buhari, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar and Magajin Gari of Daura Alhaji Musa Umar at the Eid-El-Kabir Prayer in Daura Katsina on 12th Sep 2016.
President Buhari, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar and Magajin Gari of Daura Alhaji Musa Umar at the Eid-El-Kabir Prayer in Daura Katsina on 12th Sep 2016.President Buhari, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar and Magajin Gari of Daura Alhaji Musa Umar at the Eid-El-Kabir Prayer in Daura Katsina on 12th Sep 2016President Buhari in Daura.President Buhari in Daura.President Buhari in Daura
Eid-il -Kabir: Women and children praying at the National Praying Ground, Umaru Musa Yar’radua Expressway, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
Eid-il -Kabir: Children at the National Praying Ground, Umaru Musa Yar’radua Expressway, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi AdeshidaMuslim faithfuls depart the National Praying Ground.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and former member of the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, Barr. Kabiru Usman has urged Muslim faithfuls and Nigerians to continue to keep faith with God as they celebrate the Eid-el-kabir.
Barr. Kabir Usman
In a statement in Abuja, Barr. Usman said while wishing the entire Muslim umma a happy Eid el-kabir celebration, urged them to imbibe the lessons and spirit of the occasion.
He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the economic, political and social progress of the country.
He said: “The Muslim umma and Nigerians in general must not despair. With fervent prayers, God will surely intervene in the affairs of our great country,” adding that “Muslim faithfuls must use the occasion as an opportunity to touch the lives of one another particularly at this era of unrealisable change and self-imposed recession pervading the nooks and crannies of the country.
“Muslims must live an exemplary ?life as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim in his desire to sacrifice his only son before the intervention of Almighty Allah. That action of the revered prophet of God is a beacon of sacrifice, utter humility and candour. Therefore, we must emulate such gesture in our dealings with our fellow Nigerians.”
The message added: “Nigerians must pray against the forces capable of triggering disintegration. I must however, commend Nigerians for perseverance in the face of biting economic downturn and ?exorbitant cost of goods and services, since the new administration came on board last year.
“Nigerians must remain steadfast and be frugal in their quest for a virile democratic environment in the face of deciets from self seeking politicians who have no single interest of the masses at heart, particularly the current leadership.”
Meanwhile, Usman, who vied for the position of the PDP National Publicity Secretary in the botched Rivers Convention on August 17, 2016, challenged the present administration and leaders at state level to “rejig the entire economy of our country. I implore the states to pay salaries of civil servants and pensioners as that remains their rights.
“Leaders at both the Federal and state levels must be reminded that there is so much suffering in the land. There is need need to create palliative measures to cushion the effects of harsh economic policies introduced by the present administration, because the situation is becoming unbearable.”
Usman also urged Muslim faithfuls to seize the Eid-el-kabir as an opportunity to pray for Nigeria against internal and external insurgents, as well as to pray for fellow Christians to ensure continuous peaceful and harmnious co-existence.
