Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has felicitated Muslims in the state and across the country for witnessing the commencement of yet another Ramadan fast.
The governor, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, urged Islamic faithful to pray relentlessly during the fasting period.
He specifically asked Muslims beseech the Almighty Allah to show mercy on Nigerians at this time.
He said that Muslims must embrace the piety demanded of them during the Ramadan and ask Allah to put an end to insurgency which has been ravaging our Country.
Gov. Makinde, enjoined Muslims in the state to use the month-long fasting period to pray for peace of the State and the Country.
According to him, sacrifice and increased prayers are important and critical at this time, when the country is fighting insurgency and banditry.
According to him: “I am happy to see that Muslims in the state and across Nigeria are able to join their counterparts across the world to observe this year’s Ramadan fast.
“It is a thing of joy to note that that our Muslim brothers would be able to gather for Tafsir, Iftar and Tarawih prayers, unlike the recent past when they were prevented by certain restrictions as a result of global health concerns.
“I enjoin you to use the opportunity of this month of blessings to seek Allah’s forgiveness to make insurgency a thing of the past in our country.”
He also admonished Muslims to tune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence inherent in the messages of the Holy Prophet, while also being their brothers’ keepers.
The statement further read: “As our Muslim brothers and sisters are expected to adhere strictly to abstinence from food and other things during the month of Ramadan, I wish to enjoin them to extend their hands of fellowship to other Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”