Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has called on Nigerians to pray and make sacrifices for Nigeria to recover from present economic recession and become great again.
Bello made the call on Sunday in Lokoja in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He said that regular prayers for the country and its leaders, and sacrifices on the part of Nigerians through show of understanding and cooperation in these trying times, would see the nation through.
He said that no nation could grow without sacrifices from her citizens, adding that the country was currently going through an invaluable opportunity to think out of the box and rebound to greatness.
The governor described the Eid-el-Kabir period as a season of extraordinary affinity with Allah, urging Muslims to use the period to seek breakthrough and progress for the country.
“Nigerians must remain united. We must continue to pray for our leaders as directed by Allah.
“Every leader is anointed by Allah; therefore, we must continue to pray for our nation and our leaders,” he said.
He particularly urged Muslims in the country to continue to live peacefully with people of other religions in accordance with Allah’s injunction.
“A world of peace is inestimable. Peace is the father of development.
“As we seek development, we must preach peace among religions and ethnicities.
“Muslims must be seen at the forefront of promoting peace around in the country,” he stated.
Bello also charged youths in the state to shun criminality and embrace the New Direction agenda of his administration to make the state a centrepiece of modern development in Nigeria.
He thanked the people of the state for their sacrifices and support for his administration, saying Kogi’s best years were already unfolding.
According to him, the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at Itakpe are all pointers to this. (NAN)