Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi; and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the State, Bashiru Bolarinwa on Monday called on Muslims in the country to use the Ed-el Kabir celebration as a period to display the virtues of tolerance, understanding, good neighborliness and commitment to national unity.

Ahmed in a message by his Chief Press Secretary, Wahab Oba, urged Muslims, especially those on the Mount Arafat to pray for peace and success of the Nigerian nation.

He said for Nigeria to realise its potential as a nation, Nigerians of all religious persuasions must work collectively but consciously, and be one another’s keeper.

The governor charged Muslims to see beyond the festive essence of the Eid-el-Kabir. He admonished them to see the season as a symbolic representation of total submission to the will of Allah, goodness to one another and service to humanity as exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim.

Ahmed said, “Our existence as a country is God-ordained. We must entrust its success on to Him. This celebration is another opportunity to pray for the strengthening of the good neighborliness and nation building through sacrifice and selfless service.

“The Eid-el-Kabir celebration provides another opportunity for us to reflect on the essence of sacrifice and humility as fulcrums for the promotion of harmonious relationship in our polity.”

Awoniyi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abu Micheal, called on Muslims to follow Allah’s command.

He urged Muslims not to see the period as a period for only eating and drinking.

Bolarinwa in his message said Nigerians should explore the nation’s diversities and ensure mutual co-existence. He said the challenges of the country would not consume it but would make it stronger.