Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Sunday enjoined
Nigerians to be selfless in the discharge of their duties as he joined others
leaders in goodwill messages to Muslims on the occasion of the eid-il-kabir
festival.
Aregbesola said selflessness helps build a nation adding
that when the welfare of the people is most paramount, it leads to the
emergence of a society with peace, equality and growth.
In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of
Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon,
Aregbesola said commitment, perseverance and prayer are the key ingredients
needed as the country passes through its worst trial moments.
The Governor urged Muslims to pray for the peace and
stability in the country.
He said the country will make progress towards the
fulfillment of its great potentials as a nation if Nigerians promote peace,
security and stability, which are very essential for development by showing
greater respect for national safety and public order laws.
Quoting the Holy Qura’n chapter 22:37 thus: "It is
not their meat Nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that
reaches Him: He Has thus made them subject To you, that ye may glorify Allah
for His guidance to you: And proclaim the Good News To all who do right," Aregbesola said the sacrifice of rams is in commemoration of Abraham and
Isma’il’s great self sacrifice, trust, obedience and belief in Allah.
The slaughtering of animal is a personal sacrifice by
sharing their limited means of survival with the poorer members of their
communities.
He tasked adherents of Islam to imbibe the lessons of
commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authorities as inherently
demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience
to the will of God which the Eid-El-Kabir commemorates.
Aregbesola restated his administration’s commitment to the
people of the state, adding that the president Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal
Government will continue to do all it can to improve the living conditions of
Nigerians.
The Governor said the emerging new Osun with better
infrastructure, security of lives and property emanate from the readiness of
the leadership in the state to remain selfless.
The statement said in part: "I wish our fellow Muslim
brothers and sisters in Osun, Nigeria and beyond, a most blessed Eid. Adherents of the faith should leverage this festive moment
to foster unity and continue to live up to the tenets through the acts of
charity, peaceful co-existence with our neighbours, obedience to the
injunctions of the Holy Qura’n and sacrifice as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim
whose spirit of obedience was demonstrated through his submission to the will
of Allah even in very difficult situation.
"We should also use the occasion to offer prayers to God for
peaceful co-existence among different ethno-religious groups in the country. The celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir therefore must
draw us closer to God than ever before as well as spur us to avoid negative
tendencies which could further compound our tenuous socio-political and
economic conditions.
"We should equally avoid negative comments and actions,
which seriously run counter to values that promote the common good of our dear
nation."
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