Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has called on all Nigerians to remain prayerful for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.
Abubakar made the call on Monday at his Wadata Palace, Bida, Niger in his message to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He said that the celebration of Maulud Nabiyi was remarkable and reinvigorates the virtues of faith, sacrifice, obedience, love, tolerance, charity and peaceful co-existence.
The Royal father stressed that Nigerians’ collective faith in God and sustained prayers for peace, unity and progress of the country, remain the ultimate goal.
“As Muslims who are sincere in their faith, we are supposed to follow all that the Prophet of Islam preaches and teaches,”he said
Abubakar urged Nigerians to continue to be tolerant and live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.
He said that peace and unity are veritable tools for national development, adding that Nigerians must strive to maintain them for the nation to move forward.
The traditional ruler said sustained prayers would enable the nation to overcome the devilish acts threatening its peaceful coexistence.
He said the two major religions in the country preached peace and unity, and as such, Nigerians should adhere and focus on how to go closer to God instead of fomenting trouble.
“Without peace and unity, socio-economic development will continue to elude the country.”
He urged Muslim faithful to learn how to forgive, stressing that Allah Himself forgives.
He called on Muslims to be prayerful, saying that prayer was key to overcoming any situation in which they found themselves.
The royal father urged Muslims to shun acts capable of tarnishing the image of Islam.
Abubakar stated that, it was not just enough to be a Muslim, but you must also have the fear of Allah and behave in the most acceptable manner to your fellow human beings.
“Let us revive the teachings of the prophet by preaching peace wherever we find ourselves,” he said.
According to the traditional ruler, Maulud is not only for merry making, but also a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent by Almighty God to come and do.
He said that as Muslims who are sincere in their faith, we are supposed to follow all that the Prophet of Islam preaches and teaches.(NAN)
