Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated the Muslim community on the completion of Ramadan and the dawn of Eid-el-Fitri.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor urged the faithful to imbibe the lessons and spirits of the fasting month and let the same henceforth guide their conduct in society.
AbdulRazaq, who is away in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj (Umrah), specifically congratulated the Emir of Ilorin and leader of the faithful Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari on the occasion of the Eid, praying to God to grant the first-class monarch more rewarding years on good health.
The statement added: “I wish everyone a blessed Eid, and pray Allah to accept and reward our fasting, our alms, and our worship with Al-Jannah Firdaus. I pray Allah to accept our prayers on ourselves, our families, our communities, and our country, Nigeria. We beseech Him to grant us peace and harmony, and give all the leaders (incumbent and incoming) the guidance to move our country to greater heights,” the statement said.
“Similarly, in the spirit of the holy month, I urge our compatriots to forgive one another, put behind us all pre-election grudges, and support all government’s initiatives to build and consolidate peace in every part of Nigeria, as well as build a stronger economy in an atmosphere of love and harmony. This is our country; we have a task to make it work with our collective efforts, commitment, and a good attitude, keeping in mind that no society is without its struggles.”
Emir of Ilorin
In a related development, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari rejoiced with Muslims of the Ilorin Emirate and beyond over the successful completion of the 2023 Ramadan fasting.
This is part of the monarch’s end-of-Ramadan message as contained in a statement issued on Thursday night by the Emir’s spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona.
The statement confirmed that the Eid-el-Fitr prayers will hold on (Friday) 20th May 2022, following consultation and confirmation from the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Ibn El-Kanemi and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero among traditional rulers across the country.
“Following these consultations, we have come to the conclusion at the end of the meeting held by members of the Ilorin Emirate Council and the Council of Ulamah, that the month of Ramadan has come to an end today (Thursday) and there shall be sallah celebration tomorrow, (Friday) “, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari said.
The Eid-ul- Fitr prayer will hold at the Central Yidi praying ground by 10 am, to be led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Dr. Muhammad Bashir Imam-Soliu.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari said: “May Almighty Allah make the spiritual exercise a rewarding act, forgive our shortcomings and accept our good deeds and bless us with the most suitable place in the hereafter which is Al-jannatul Fridous. “
According to the statement, “Shortly after the Eid-el-Fitr prayers, the Emir will host the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and other dignitaries who will pay him Sallah homage at his palace immediately after he returns from Yidi praying ground.”
The Emir thanked Islamic clerics for their fervent commitments to encouraging adherents to be dutiful and prayerful as encapsulated in the Holy Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad throughout the fasting period.
The Emir, however, appealed to the people of Ilorin Emirate and beyond to celebrate Sallah with utmost decorum and imbibe the culture of discipline, charity and forgiveness during and after the feast.
He also enjoined youths to desist from any act that can truncate and pollute the peaceful atmosphere in the state and urged them to cooperate with security agents in discharging their constitutional duties diligently.
Dominica Nwabufo
