As Muslim faithful enter the second day of Ramadan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon AminuTambuwal has admonished them to use the period for supplication, calling especially for prayers for an end to the spate of bombings, ethno-religious conflicts and other acts of insecurity bedeviling the country.
This is just as the Lower House majority leader, Hon MulikatAkande-Adeola enjoined Nigerians to shun all forms of violence as the Ramadan month begins.
In a press statement signed by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began across the globe yesterday, should be used to pray for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
According to him, Ramadan is a time of sacrifice, a time when Moslems abstain from the physical pleasures of this life, and seek blessings from the Almighty through the study of the Holy Koran, the teaching of the Holy Prophet and sharing with neighbours and the needy.
“It behoves on all Nigerians, especially Muslims, to dedicate much of their time to acts of worship in order enjoy maximum favour from the almighty God”, the speaker said.
He said all Nigerians should use the Ramadan period to embrace love for one another, sacrifice for the overall growth and development of the nation, and cooperation with government for the attainment of our national goals while urging Nigerians to let their actions match their prayers.
“As we begin the Ramadan fast, we must take actions that match our prayers. The holy month is a period of sacrifice, prayers and reflection on our attitudes and contributions to nation-building. It bears repeating here that without peace and unity, socio economic development will continue to elude our society,” he added.