President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, sacrifice and renewed commitment to national development as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.
In separate Sallah messages, the political leaders urged citizens to use the festive period to pray for peace, support the country’s ongoing reforms, and extend care to the less privileged, stressing that the values of sacrifice and compassion remain critical to overcoming Nigeria’s current challenges.
The President, in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the world, linked the sacrifice which is at the heart of Sallah and the economic hardships Nigerians have endured under his administration’s reform programme.
He said the sacrifices of the past three years had yielded a more stable economy, adding that the country is now positioned as a preferred investment destination.
“Just as sacrifice brings reward, I am happy that the sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth.
“The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here,” Tinubu stated.
He said he remained confident that the reforms would continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged that insecurity persists in parts of the country even after significant operational successes, including the recent joint Nigeria-US elimination of the ISIS senior leader Abu-Bilal al-Manuki in the Lake Chad Basin.
“I am aware that, despite the best efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader, heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities.
“I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil,” the President said.
He also used the message to call on religious and community leaders to pray for peace and for the country’s leadership, and to extend charity to the less privileged during the celebration.
“To our Muslim faithful, I urge you to use this sacred occasion to pray for our country, for peace in our communities, and for wisdom for those in leadership.
“Let us pray that those who commit crimes among us may rethink and abandon their evil ways, or face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The PUNCH