COVID-19: Emir urges Nigerians to adhere to preventive measures
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has urged Nigerians to be sensitive and not to relent in adopting necessary preventive measures against COVID-19 across the country.
He urged them to always adopt preventive measures and protocols in order to adhere to the warnings and efforts in tackling the deadly infections.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari stated this on Thursday while delivering his sallah message to Muslim faithful shortly after he observed the two rakat prayers marking the end of the 2021 Ramadan fasting at the Ilorin Central Eid praying ground.
The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Dr. Muhammad Bashir Soliu OON.
According to the Emir, “We give thanks to Almighty Allah (SWT)once again for granting us the grace to observe the Ramadan fasting successfully. Religious misunderstandings in the state should be addressed by the two main religious leaders.
“The society had gone far enough to prevent leashing violent reactions on any matter that ought to have been settled amicably.
The dasting has come and gone. All restraints exhibited while it lasted should be continued and the end of fasting should not be the end of personal discipline. ”
The traditional ruler pointed out that: “To those who are performing this year’s holy pilgrimage (Umrah) among us, we wish them Allah’s travelling mercies and happy return to their respective homes.
“For those who are sick in the hospital and at home, we pray Allah to heal them and for those that died in the current year, may Allah grant them Al-janatul fordaos and give their families the courage and fortitude to bear the loss.”
Meanwhile the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has had earlier congratulated the Muslim community on the celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitri, praying to the Almighty Allah to reward the faithful for the Ramadan fast and their devotions, alms-giving before, during and after the holy month.
In a statement issued by Rauf Ajakaye the chief press secretary to the Kwara state governor ahead of the Eid on Thursday, the Governor said: “I felicitate the Muslim community worldwide and especially in Kwara State on the successful completion of the Ramadhan fast 1442 AH and the Eid-ul-Fitri following it.
The month afforded the faithful another rare opportunity of spiritual rejuvenation through fasting, devotions, leniency and kindness towards the weak, and multiple earning of rewards by supporting the poor and the vulnerable. I pray Almighty Allah to grant us the rewards in manifolds.
“Going forward, and in the spirit of the holy month we have just exited, I implore everyone to continue to pray and work for peace and tranquility in our country and our state, while the government and citizens play their respective roles to build a better society.
As always, our administration will continue to prioritise collective prosperity and sustainable development by making the right investments in critical infrastructure, human capital development, gender inclusion and youths empowerment, and safety nets for the poor.
I urge our compatriots to also play their own part through constructive engagements and being one another’s brother’s keeper. Our country is going through a tough phase of nationhood, as had other great nation-states in world history.
The solution is not in despair. Let us instead look after one another and be deliberate about building a country whose strength truly lies in the diversity and resilience of its people, while shrugging off anything and everything that may tear us apart.”
===============