Eid-al-Fitr: Cross River Aims to Bond with Muslim Community
Eme Offiong, Calabar
The Governor of Cross River State in Southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Otu has sued for stronger bond and affinity with the Muslim community as Islamic leaders from the eighteen local government areas visit government house.
Governor Otu, who was delighted to receive the leaders, most of whom have lived in Cross River for over 20 years, said their visit to him was an indication of the existing relationships amongst the Muslim community and indigenous people.
Otu said, “let me thank you from the deepest of our hearts for all the prayers and love, which you have showered on this government. The Muslim community has always been with me from day one.”
He was particularly appreciative of the prayers said for him, his family and the government as a whole and said, “to have you in this number and capacity here goes a long way to underscore the affinity and love with which we share as brothers and sisters.
“We pray that our bond and affinity grow even stronger. There is nothing that prayers cannot do. The doors of this state are open today because of prayers,” he explained.
A commission in the making
The governor assured the delegation that his administration was committed to uplifting the living conditions of all residents of Cross River State including assisting persons with special needs achieve better standard and livelihood with the establishment of a commission.
Otu stated, “we are coming up with a Disability Commission, which will take care of programmes that will cater to their welfare. The physically challenged must also be able to feel the dividends of democracy. Moving forward, I can assure you that you will also have a place as far as the society is concerned.”
Speaking further he urged, “forgive, love one another; live and let live; humanity should be our religion.”
Pray for him
The leader of the Cross River Muslim Community, Seriki Garba Lawan the fourth, described Ramadan as a holy month set aside for Muslims to seek Allah’s presence in prayer and supplication.
Lawan explained that their visit on the governor was to pray for him and Allah’s continuous blessings on Cross River, which is visible to every residents in the state considering the implementation of his programmes and policies within the past 10 months.
According to the religious leader, the cardinal principles of Islam are to foster peace, love and good neighborliness.as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
The climax of the event were prayers for the governor, Cross River State, Nigeria and the world.
Lateefah Ibrahim
