Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has enjoined muslims to imbibe the virtues of Prophet Ibrahim as they celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
A similar message was conveyed by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The messages were passed on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir festival which holds on Sunday.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, on Saturday, Makinde of Oyo State admonished the Muslim Ummah in the state to reflect on the significance of the celebration, which he said bordered on encouraging piety, sacrifice and love.
He noted that without those virtues as displayed by Prophet Ibrahim, no state or society could advance.
“The significance of the season should be beyond the festivities. The real essence is to encourage piety, total commitment to Allah, self-discipline and sacrifice,” the governor said.
The governor further reiterated his administration’s commitment to uplifting the state through the expansion of its economy and ensuring that the state reclaimed its pace-setter status in different sectors.
He enjoined the Muslim faithful to use the Eid-el-Kabir period to pray for the peace, prosperity and stability of the state and the country, adding that for the state to prosper and reach its full potential, its people must contribute their quota through prayers and support for the leaders.
In a similar statement issued, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, said: “There are numerous lessons to be learnt from the story that led to Eid-el-Kabir. After very many years wait by Prophet Ibrahim and his wife, Sarat, to have a child, he also heeded God’s directive to sacrifice the only son to God. It was at this point that God replaced the intended sacrificial son with a ram. That was a strong demonstration of patience, perseverance, steadfastness, obedience and commitment. This clear test of faith was what led to the festival we are celebrating today.”
He said on the occasion of the festival, it was important that “we also take note of the lessons of the festival. We should all emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s patience, perseverance, steadfastness, obedience and commitment as vital ingredients toward the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” Agenda.””
He assured the people of the state that his administration remained irrevocably committed to providing focused and qualitative governance that would create an enabling environment for Public-Private Sector Partnership (PPP) which he said was fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity for the people of Ogun State and all those who have made our dear State their home.”
He however warned everyone to celebrate with moderation.
“We must all remember that even this celebration is an act of worship to Allah. And, I pray that God accepts all our worship as Ibadah. May He also grant us good rewards in this life and hereafter,” he said.
