PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and governors Monday asked Nigerians to use the sallah break to pray for the unity, development and peaceful co-existence of the country.

Special Adviser on Media to the President Ima Niboro said: “President Jonathan said that Nigeria will make quicker progress towards the fulfillment of its great potentials as a nation if its citizens foster peace, security and stability which are essential for development by showing greater respect for national safety and public order laws.

"Affirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law at all times, President Jonathan promised that the Federal Government will continue to do all it can to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

"The President also restated his commitment to ensuring the sanctity of the ballot in next year’s general elections.

"He urged all eligible Nigerians to participate in the voter registration exercise when it commences with the assurance that every vote will count in the elections.”

Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola preached good neighborliness. He said: “It is, therefore, a time to spare a thought about our worldly pursuits and ambitions in relation to our societal values bearing in mind that we are only human and life is all vanity. As we celebrate today, my brothers and sisters in Islam, let us reflect on those societal values that remind us of our common humanity.

"Let us pray and ask the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that remind us that we must love our neighbours as ourselves and that our real values are not reflected in what we have but how much we have touched the lives of those around us, especially those put under our care.”

His Anambra counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi said selflessness should be adopted by Nigerians. Obi said: “As a nation, we are reminded of the merits of selfless sacrifice for the common good. The dictates of faith and nation-building demand of each of us to see the country as an estate in which we have a personal stake and in that spirit work to achieve the best results for what belongs to us. We need to ask ourselves what we can do for the country both for our own present good and for the sake of coming generations.”

Oyo Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, in his sallah message, said peaceful co-existence must be sustained in the country. He advised politicians against the use of violence, blackmail, backbiting in the quest for political office.

Ondo State Mimiko, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, appealed to Muslims not be carried away with the feasts and merriments that usually go with the festivity.

He said: “Just as the meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others, this act not only symbolises our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah’s commands.”

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said the lessons of the festival should be carried far into the future.

He said: “I call on our teeming islamic adherents and other religious sects to emulate those lessons inherent in the celebration of this festival as the celebration is not about slaughtering of rams and its attendant festivities alone, besides, it affords us all a unique opportunity to renew our commitment to the service of Allah and our covenant to God.”

Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of charity, forgiveness and sacrifice as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

In his sallah message, the governor said: “Eid-el-Kabir is an occasion to celebrate the love of God and to rekindle our faith in Almighty Allah. It is a season of charity, making peace, forgiveness and the celebration of our common humanity as God’s children. We must remember to fend for the poor, the disempowered and the needy in line with God’s injunction to be our brother’s keeper.”

Alao-Akala, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Abraham Ojo, urged Nigerians to allow the lessons of the Eid-el-kabir festival such as love for one another, obedience and fulfillment of promises to reflect in their dealings with fellow beings.

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