President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to put the interest of the country above selfish interests, and use religion as a motivation for the love of the citizens’ common humanity.
In his Eid-el Kabir message to Nigerian Muslims and other citizens, President Buhari said if citizens adhere strictly to the teachings, most of the evils afflicting the society would have been solved.
According to the President, religion should not just be used as a mere badge of identity, but as a motivator for doing good for the country and humanity.
He explained that the exploitation of the people by traders, and the stealing of public funds by civil servants and other holders of public trust was a reflection of the abandonment of the teachings of their religions.
The President noted that the society had become a bundle of contradictions, where people display external religiosity without the fear of God, and they making life difficult for others.
He also observed that money had become the god of the Godless, while leaders had reneged in their oaths of office by hoarding money meant for the welfare of the people and divert it to private pockets.
President Buhari congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and the world on the occasion of the Eid, citing for special mention, pthe brave men and women in uniform fighting terror on many fronts and their families, as well as others held hostage and kept away from their families by wicked and heartless terrorists.
He used the occasion to call on Muslims to reflect on the significance of the sacrifice epitomised by Eid.
He urged Muslims to show love and care to their neighbours and others, while celebrating the spiritually important event in their lives.
President Buhari also advised Muslims to promote the unique virtues of Islam through personal examples and practice, admonishing them to avoid association with violent extremist ideas that have wrongly given Islam a negative image or poor perception.
On the current security challenges and costs of living in the country, President Buhari assured Nigerians that he would not rest until he had brought them relief, adding that he is quite aware of the difficulties people are facing.
The President hoped that the Eid will be a source of blessing, peace, prosperity and safety for Nigerians, stressing that co-existence and stability will prevail in the country.
