President Muhammadu Buhari felicitated the Muslim Ummah as well as Nigerians of all faiths on the occasion of the Maulud-Un-Nabiyy, the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
In a message released by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Monday in Abuja, to mark the occasion, slated for Oct. 19, which has been declared a public holiday, Buhari said:
“I am delighted to send greetings of peace, unity and goodwill to the Muslim Ummah, fellow citizens and Muslims all over the world as they observe and celebrate Eid-ul-Maulud.”
The president urged Muslims to strive for “forgiveness and closeness to the noble life and teachings of the Prophet (SAW) whose birthday is being marked on this blessed day.
“On this auspicious occasion, I wish you all the blessings of today.”
The president used the occasion to give a snapshot of the increased activities of the Armed Forces, Police Force and intelligence agencies had embarked upon to effectively respond to the security challenges in the nation.
According to him, the government fully expects and intends for these trends to continue.
He, therefore, called on the media to address the tone, content, and standards of reporting into security and safety measures, saying time has come to reverse the prefixes “rising insecurity” with “declining insecurity.”
The president added that “increased cooperation and collaboration from the citizenry, coupled with reinvigorated, dynamic, and energised police, security and military leadership is helping the administration score more victories against terror, criminality and economic sabotage.
“The reality of declining insecurity should replace the inaccurate narrative of rising insecurity in the country.
“While there is work to do, the men and women in uniform who are helping the nation to achieve this goal, desire our collective appreciation and encouragement to do even more.
“The whole country and its mass communications systems have a duty in this regard.”
Buhari also appealed to road users to drive with care and avoid needless accidents.
Eid-ul-Maulud: Lawan preaches peace, love and tolerance
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his message on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Maulud, which commemorates the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SLM), said the occasion should remind Muslims and all people of faith of the virtues of peaceful coexistence, love and tolerance as taught and lived by the Holy Prophet.
“Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set clear examples through his life of piety and fervent worship of Allah for all true Muslims to emulate at all times.
“Doing so is particularly important now when these virtues are required for healing our land and strengthening our bond as humans, people of faith and Nigerians.
“The Federal Government and the National Assembly will continue to work assiduously to create the enabling environment for peaceful coexistence and prosperity in Nigeria,” Lawan says.
He also enjoined Nigerians to pray for and continue to support our law enforcement and security forces in their “valiant and patriotic efforts to protect all of us.”
In her message, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said beyond celebrating the occasion with immediate family, we should also extend a hand of fellowship to others around us, regardless of affiliations, creed, and religion.
She said” Often celebrated with family, it is a time to as a unit, profess the Muslim faith to one another, reminding each other of the teachings of the Prophet and strengthening their faith. If we can get it right at the smallest unit of society which is the family, it will be easier to fix the ills that have become prevalent in the larger society.
“We must also take time to reflect on the teachings of the Prophet, especially as it relates to our dear Nation, Nigeria. We must embrace charity to one another, living a life of piety, while doing our part towards ensuring our peaceful co-existence as a Nation.
“Thus, I enjoin us all to in these times, continue to seek God’s intervention in all our affairs as a nation.”
