The governor of
Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has urged Nigerian Muslims to use the
spiritual ascendancy they attained during the just concluded Ramadan
season as a formidable tool to rebuild
the fabric of national unity and reaffirm Nigeria's common destiny as one
indivisible entity.
In a special
Sallah Message issued in Awka on Friday, Governor Obiano expressed the optimism
that Nigeria would be the ultimate beneficiary of the spiritual re-armament
from the Ramadan season pointing out that Nigeria is a nation in need of
healing.
Said he;
"The mortification achieved from the fasting period must enable us to take
a spiritual stock of our lives as a nation and reaffirm our common humanity and
our unity as a country."
According to him,
"Nigeria and indeed the world at large must build bridges of brotherhood
to harness the benefits of earthly life and the ultimate purpose of creation.
There can be no gainsaying the fact that occasions of religious celebration
offer us a sober moment for reflection on how best to build our lives
individually and collectively."
Governor Obiano
further observed that the injunction to charity which is usually demonstrated
especially at this time through the donation of gifts to the less privileged is
a practice that spreads love and happiness. "It is however important to
note that neither poverty nor compassion has religious, geographical or ethnic
barriers", he observed.
Speaking further,
Governor Obiano reckoned that the celebration also presents Nigerians an
important moment to reflect on the challenges of insurgency and general
insecurity that is holding the country in an iron grip.
Exhorting
Nigerians to always strive to peacefully cwin the hearts and minds of those who
oppose their choices rather than the use of force, the governor maintained that
"Freedom is a fundamental human condition enshrined in creation. Lasting social structures are often the
product of mutual respect, dialogue, equity and mutual tolerance."
He further
reasoned that "if the Nigerian society is safe and just, it is healthy for
all of us regardless of our different religious creeds and cultural
differences. "
In conclusion,
Governor Obiano maintained that "our generation has a duty to excise the
sources of antagonism, tension and violence from our body polity in order to
live productively and bequeath a proud heritage to future generations."
The governor
wished all Nigerian Muslims a happy celebration, urging them to pray for the
peace and prosperity of the country.
James Eze
SSA Media