President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, came together on Sunday to address the economic challenges currently faced by the nation.
During the Eid celebrations, Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to exhibit more care for their neighbors and offer charity to everyone in the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir.
Emphasizing the necessity of some level of sacrifice to propel the nation forward, President Tinubu, who participated in Eid prayers in Lagos, emphasized the responsibilities that come with citizenship. He stressed the importance of loving one’s country, neighbors, and the act of sharing among citizens.
The former Lagos state governor’s statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, elaborated on the principles of sacrifice and civic duty that citizens owe to their society.
In his sermon, Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Suleiman Abou-Nolla, reiterated the importance of love, sacrifice, and caring for the less fortunate in society. He highlighted the sacrifices made by past leaders and urged citizens to ensure that their sacrifices contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
Former President Buhari, in his address after Eid prayers with the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Faruk, encouraged citizens to engage in farming and support locally made products to boost food production, lower prices, and ensure food security. He emphasized the need for sustained efforts in nation-building initiatives.
Expressing concerns about unchecked population growth, Buhari urged for increased discussions on the matter and emphasized the importance of investing in education and health to address future challenges.
Continuing the tradition of supporting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), former President Buhari commended the scheme as a unifying force in the country and urged for its continued reinforcement by successive administrations.
The Sultan of Sokoto, speaking from his palace, called for urgent actions to address the economic and security issues facing the nation. He stressed the need for collective efforts to combat security challenges, facilitate farmers’ access to their lands, and eradicate hunger.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, urged Nigerians to embrace unity, forgiveness, and love amidst the prevailing challenges across the nation. He emphasized the values of sacrifice, obedience, and faith as pillars for fostering unity and peace.
In the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir, he called for national unity, trust in divine intervention for security, economic, and political stability, and God’s mercy and unity to prevail in Nigeria’s current state of need.
The message conveyed empathy towards “the displaced, bereaved, and traumatized”.
Okoh emphasized the necessity of God’s mercy for the country and urged unity among Nigerians to create a thriving nation that embraces citizens of all backgrounds, emphasizing the potential to overcome any challenges collectively.
The Christian leader stressed the importance of God’s mercy, peace, and unity for a prosperous Nigeria where diversity is seen as a strength. He called on Nigerians to promote peace, love, and forgiveness while praying for divine intervention in the nation’s struggles, especially towards supporting the displaced and affected individuals.
Alhaji Tajudeen Ahmed, the Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ekiti State, highlighted the economic difficulties impacting the Sallah celebration, particularly due to inflation affecting the prices of rams and food items.
Dr. Muhammad Idris, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education, urged stakeholders to recommit to ensuring education for every child, acknowledging the President’s efforts to address challenges faced by out-of-school children.
Appreciating efforts to enroll 10 million out-of-school children by 2027, he reiterated the importance of education in empowering youth and society.
Meanwhile, concerns were raised by Nigerians regarding the impact of soaring inflation on the festive season. In Niger State, residents struggled with the high cost of rams, opting for more affordable alternatives like chickens.
Suleiman Abdullahi from Minna noted the challenges but emphasized the significance of the celebration regardless of economic constraints, demonstrating resilience and faith.
Reflecting on the celebration, Imam Idris Hassan highlighted the unwavering commitment of Muslims to their faith despite economic hardships, emphasizing trust in Allah.
Residents of Ogun State
Similar sentiments were echoed by residents of Ogun State, citing the economic strain on purchasing essential items like rams, pepper, tomatoes, and rice, urging the government to address the economic challenges effectively.
The prevailing inflation rates significantly impacted the purchasing power of Nigerian Muslims during the Eid-el-Adha celebration, with steep increases in food prices compared to the previous year.
Economist Shadrach Israel expressed concern over the sharp rise in inflation rates and emphasized the need for immediate government intervention through various economic policies and reforms to stabilize the economy and restore citizens’ purchasing power.
The hope for a prosperous and economically stable future post-Sallah celebration. Calls were made to address structural issues, including insecurity affecting farmers and contributing to economic instability.
The impact of inflation on festivities highlighted the necessity for economic stability to ensure citizens’ well-being and the smooth running of celebrations.