A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Busari Yakubu Adewale, popularly known as Donbay, has called on Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to embrace patience, sacrifice and peaceful coexistence as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.
Donbay, an Ago-Are-born politician, made the appeal in a statement made available to ITV Online on Tuesday, where he congratulated Muslims and Nigerians at large on the occasion of the Sallah celebration.
He urged adherents of Islam to reflect the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in their daily conduct and relationships with people of other faiths, stressing that the essence of Eid-el-Kabir lies in love, sacrifice, perseverance and understanding.
According to him, the season also presents an opportunity for wealthy individuals to extend support and relief to the less privileged, especially at a time many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship and insecurity across the country.
“This is imperative at a time when Nigerians are faced with hardship compounded by the challenges of insurgency, kidnapping and banditry,” he said.
The APC stalwart expressed optimism that the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies would soon restore peace and normalcy nationwide.
He commended the President for directing security operatives to intensify efforts in tackling insecurity, adding that the country would overcome its current challenges through collective commitment and prayers.
Donbay also urged Muslims to celebrate the festival in moderation while observing safety and health precautions, noting that the threat of Coronavirus still exists.
“I felicitate with the Muslim Ummah in my constituency and Nigerians in general as we celebrate Sallah. I want to plead for patience and understanding among our people regardless of their faiths for there to be peace in our society,” he stated.
“Sallah connotes sacrifice and I assure that our sacrifices will not be in vain.
“As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir today, we must internalise the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which dwell on love, sacrifice, patience, perseverance and understanding.
“If we follow these teachings, most of the vices threatening to tear our country apart today would be non-existent. Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other challenges facing the country are fallouts of our disobedience to the teachings of our Holy books.”
He further called on Nigerians to return to the path of righteousness and uphold values that promote peace, unity and national development.