President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to uphold the virtues of love, compassion and charity, especially towards the vulnerable as the nation marks Eid el-Fitr, signifying the end of Ramadan.

The president made the call while speaking after the Eid prayers at the Abuja National Eid Prayer Ground on Sunday, emphasising the importance of sustaining the values cultivated during the holy month.

He said, “We should give thanks to the Almighty Allah. We saw the beginning; we started together and ended together in good health and happiness, in prayers for our country and all our people.”

He urged Nigerians not to abandon the lessons of Ramadan, but to continue the acts of kindness and selflessness, the president stressed that “we should continue the good deeds as taught during the Holy month of Ramadan: care for the vulnerable, the orphans, and the less privileged.”

 The Chief Imam of the National Mosque Abuja, Dr. Abdulkadir Salman Sholagberu, echoed the president’s call, urging the Muslim faithful to maintain the discipline and devotion exhibited during the Ramadan.

 “During the Fast, we showed love to one another; we cared for people in need, we extended charity, and our country was peaceful. Why should we return to rancour after Ramadan?” the Imam asked.

Sholagberu warned against spiritual complacency, likening those who abandon righteous deeds after Ramadan to a person who builds a mansion only to demolish it with his own hands. 

The prayers were attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, members of the Federal Executive Council and other senior government officials.

Sultan’s requests

In a similar message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Sunday asked Nigerians to continue to pray and support leaders at all levels of the government to bring about the needed growth and development of the country.

 Speaking in his Sallah message shortly after the prayers to mark this year’s Eid el-Fitr celebration, the Sultan urged Nigerians to pray for peace and against the rising insecurity in the country.

He expressed concern over the security challenges in parts of the country while commending the security forces for their efforts.

The Sultan urged citizens to engage in constructive criticism rather than engaging in frivolous attacks on leaders who are working towards finding solutions to the challenges facing the country.

He commended the efforts of the Sokoto state government for embarking on many transformative projects in the state, saying citizens needed to support the government to do more.

 Abubakar said the contract between citizens and leaders was a continuous one and urged the government to continue the good work they have started “so as to take the state to a greater height.”

He was particularly grateful to the government and other wealthy individuals in the state who supported residents to observe the Ramadan fast with ease through support of all kinds.

He praised the state governor, Ahmad Aliyu, for assisting the orphans and widows by making special provisions for them during Ramadan and even providing for them to celebrate the Sallah.

Sultan Abubakar appreciated the clerics and Ulamas for conducting themselves well during the different Tafsir (sermons) during Ramadan.

Alaafin, Olubadan’s messages

Also, in Ibadan, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, advised Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, understanding, and good neighbourliness.

 Oba Owoade gave the charge on Sunday in a message by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye to felicitate the Muslims on this year’s Eid el-Fitr festival.

 According to the Alaafin, tolerance and understanding are the baselines for transforming the country, healing our relationships and fostering the polity of our dreams, stressing that total submission to the will and command of Allah symbolises genuine obedience, which is the essence of the festival.

Oba Owoade also called for rededication, not only to the Creator, but also to the cause of mankind, appreciate the gift of life and imbibe the virtues of tolerance, and contentment.

“If we sincerely love in our hearts, the governance would work, electoral reforms would be easier to accomplish, funds would be judiciously utilised for the good of the larger number, leadership would love and cherish the led,” he said. 

In the same vein, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, in his message, urged Nigerians to live in peace and harmony and shun religious bigotry.

 Oba Olakulehin tasked the Muslim Ummah to uphold the lessons learned during the fasting period. 

“Sustain the lessons learned during the 30-day fasting, which included repentance, forgiveness,, charity and peaceful co-existence with fellow beings. Strictly adhere to the injunctions of Islamic religion as contained in the Holy Qur’an,” he said. 

Makinde tasks Nigerians

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on Sunday called on Nigerians to continue embracing religious harmony and tolerance. 

He made the call in a message by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, to felicitate the Muslim faithful in Oyo state and Nigeria in general on the successful completion of the 2025 Ramadan.

He said there was the need for religious harmony and tolerance to usher in the development of the state and the country at large.

“As an administration, we have made a commitment to continue to put the people’s interest first and to develop our great state in a sustainable way, but we cannot achieve this in an atmosphere of religious disharmony and intolerance,” he said. 

Governor Makinde tasked the Muslim faithful to continue to work with his administration to sustain the religious harmony in the state.

Commending the Muslim faithful for their endurance, faith, sacrifices and trust in Allah throughout the month of Ramadan, he charged them to continue to uphold the lessons learnt during the holy month. 

“I congratulate my brothers and sisters in Islam on the occasion of the Eid el-Fitr, which signals the end of Ramadan. I particularly hail them for the perseverance, faith and trust in Allah, sacrificial living and giving, good neighbourliness, among other virtues demonstrated before and during the fasting. 

 “I want to charge them to continue to uphold these values; continue to pray and support the government at all levels and to continue to work with us to sustain the religious harmony we are enjoying in Oyo state,” he said.

Bago preaches love, kindness

The Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, on Sunday urged the residents to celebrate the Eid el-Fitr season by extending love and kindness to the people around them.

The governor stated this after observing the two unit prayers in commemoration of this year’s Eid el-Fitr at the Minna Eid prayer ground.

Represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, he expressed gratitude to Allah for the opportunity to witness the sacred month and celebrate Eid el-Fitr and urged residents to be their brothers’ keeper by extending hands of fellowship and kindness, especially to the vulnerable ones in society.

He also used the medium to call on Muslims not to allow the gains acquired in the month of Ramadan to go in vain but sustain its teachings by cleansing their souls as nobody knows when he or she will depart this world. 

The governor appealed to the people to be steadfast in prayers to overcome the insecurity challenges as the federal and state governments remain proactive in tackling the situation.

The deputy governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, led other government officials to pay Sallah homage to Nigeria’s former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at his uphill residence, Minna.

Worshippers at the prayer ground included a former Niger state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; the Emir of Minna, Umar Faruk Bahago; the Head of Service, Abubakar Sadiq Idris; commissioners, Deputy Chief of Staff, Sadiq Yusuf; the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Nma Kolo, and Mohammed Babangida.

 Okpebholo congratulates Muslims, preaches peace

The Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, felicitated with the Muslim community in the state and across the world as they celebrate Eid el-Fitr.

Okpebholo commended the Muslim community for their steadfastness, piety, and sacrifice during the Ramadan fast. 

He acknowledged the spiritual discipline, acts of charity, and prayers offered during the sacred month, stating their positive impact on the moral fabric of the society.

In a statement issued Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fred Itua, the governor said, “Your dedication and devotion during Ramadan has been truly inspiring.

“As you celebrate this significant festival, may the spirit of peace, unity, and love continue to guide our state and the nation.”

Okpebholo urged Muslims to sustain the lessons and virtues learned during the Ramadan, including compassion, tolerance and unity, and to continue to live in peace and harmony with their fellow citizens of all faiths. 

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and progressive Edo state where religious tolerance and mutual respect thrive.

Alia’s admonition 

The Benue state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Sunday extended warm greetings to the Muslim community in the state on the occasion of Eid el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan Fast.

Governor Alia in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, encouraged the Muslim faithful to spread love, happiness and prosperity within their communities.

The governor acknowledged the important role the Muslim community plays in fostering harmony and conformity among the populace, contributing to the state’s rich cultural tapestry.

He stated the importance of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect during the celebration and beyond.

Governor Alia described Eid el-Fitr as a “moment of celebration, gratitude, and meditation,” highlighting the significance of Ramadan as a month of prayer, fasting, and kindness.
He wished the Muslim community a joyous celebration filled with peace, unity, and love.

Ganduje tasks Nigerians on 2027

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said Nigerians would not regret giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu their mandate to govern the country. 

He, however, called on the people to renew their faith in the administration and continue to support the APC-led government. 

The APC national chairman, in a message to the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the world on the joyous occasion of Eid el-Fitr, marking the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan, made the comments. 

In a statement released Sunday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje rejoiced with all Muslims for the spiritual renewal and discipline attained during the sacred month of fasting, prayer, and devotion to the Almighty Allah. 

He urged the faithful to uphold the virtues of piety, selflessness, and compassion that Ramadan represents, while also extending love and kindness to one another, especially the less privileged in society.

Ganduje called on Muslims and all citizens to remain steadfast in promoting unity, peace, and national progress. 

He emphasised that the lessons of Ramadan – patience, sacrifice, and perseverance – are essential in fostering harmony and strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions.

“The two-term Kano state governor urged Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Timubu to succeed in his effort to take the country from economic doldrums and bringing to an end the lingering security challenges, noting that they would not regret voting for President Tinubu after his first tenure,” he said.. 

CAN’s charge, regrets

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has congratulated Muslims in the country and across the world on the successful completion of Ramadan and celebration of Eid el-Fitr.

This was contained in a joint statement by the Chairman, CAN, Rev. John Hayab, and the Secretary-General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, on Sunday in Kaduna.

CAN said, “The spiritual activities are significant and rewarding to every faithful, especially those who embrace the teachings as instructed in the Holy Books.”

The religious group also expressed grief and sorrow at the killing of 16 travellers in Uromi, Edo state.

“The pain and anguish their families and loved ones must endure are unbearable, and we can only imagine the depth of their sufferings.

“May God grant them comfort, strength, and solace during this darkest of times.

“This heinous act of violence is a stain on our collective humanity, and CAN condemns it in the strongest terms,” it said.