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.