Eid-el-Maulud: Tinubu, govs, CAN preach peace, tolerance

Nigerian Muslims have been urged to imbibe the good teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as they celebrate his birthday.

The charge was given by President Bola Tinubu, governors, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party and others in their goodwill messages to mark the occasion.

Tinubu, in a statement titled, ‘Eid-el-Maulud: Tinubu Urges Muslims to Imbibe Virtues of Prophet Muhammad,’ signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that beyond celebrating the birthday of the Holy Prophet, the faithful should use the occasion for introspection, prayer and learning from the Prophet’s exceptional virtues.

He said, “The Muslim faithful should make a deliberate effort to adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

“There are great lessons of devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness that we can all learn from the life of the Prophet.”

He urged religious leaders to use the period to pray for the country and admonish their followers to translate the lessons from Prophet Muhammad’s life into their commitment to the country.

Tinubu also urged those celebrating the Maulud festival to extend a hand of fellowship to the needy and vulnerable in the spirit of the season.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, extended warm felicitations to the Muslim faithful in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

In a goodwill message to commemorate the feast, Fubara, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, enjoined the Muslim faithful to reflect on the noble virtues of peace, compassion, tolerance, selflessness and service to humanity.

He said these virtues, which the Prophet held dear, could promote harmony and positive change in society.

“On this joyous occasion, I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts your prayers, grants you good health, prosperity, and continued peace in our state and nation.

“In Rivers State, we are proud of our diversity and the spirit of unity that binds Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths together.

“Your prayers, peaceful conduct, and contributions to the growth and development of our state remain deeply appreciated.

“Let us continue to cherish our diversity and promote harmony, tolerance, and understanding. May our shared values of compassion, forgiveness, and unity guide us in our daily lives,” he said.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State urged Muslim faithful in the state and Nigeria to draw inspiration from the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet by promoting peace, compassion, tolerance and service to humanity.

Otu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, described the birth of the Holy Prophet as an auspicious occasion that offered Muslims and humanity at large an opportunity to reflect on the enduring virtues of faith, humility, sacrifice and devotion which characterised the Prophet’s life.

“The life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad remains an enduring testament to faith, compassion, humility, sacrifice and unyielding devotion to the service of humanity,” the statement read.

He urged the faithful to use the occasion not merely as a moment of celebration, but as an opportunity for deeper reflection and renewed commitment to the values that promote peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, urged Muslim faithful to use the celebration to reflect on and practise the Prophet’s teachings on unity, compassion and peace.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri described Eid-el-Maulud as a celebration of love and the virtues of sacrifice.

He enjoined Muslims to demonstrate practical love, be their brothers’ keepers and promote peaceful coexistence with others.

The statement read, “As Muslims across the world mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad, it is a time to reflect on his ideals and teachings on love, unity, compassion and peace. “I urge adherents of the faith to demonstrate practical love, patriotism and ensure peaceful co-existence with others.

“The principles of good neighbourliness and being a brother’s keeper are best manifested at a season such as this.

“On this celebration of the Feast of Eid-el-Maulud, I felicitate with my Muslim brothers in the state and across Nigeria. May this celebration bring greater prosperity and joy to you all and to our state. Barka da Sallah.”

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, also congratulated Muslims across Kano State and Nigeria and urged them to reflect on the life and teachings of the Prophet.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Dawakin Tofa, on Tuesday.

“I urge Muslims to use this occasion to reflect on the life, teachings and exemplary character of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), particularly his virtues of peace, justice, compassion, honesty, patience and tolerance,” Yusuf was quoted as saying.

He called on the Muslim faithful to demonstrate these values in their daily lives and promote peaceful coexistence, unity and mutual respect among people of different backgrounds.

The governor also urged parents, religious leaders and community elders to intensify efforts to educate younger generations about the teachings and exemplary conduct of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Yusuf used the occasion to pray for President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, wishing them a successful first tenure and a hitch-free re-election in 2027.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, urged Nigerian leaders to emulate the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), particularly his commitment to justice, inclusivity, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. Makarfi, in a goodwill message to Muslims to mark the 1448 Eid-el-Maulud celebration, commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), congratulated the Muslim Ummah and humanity on the occasion, and described the birth and mission of the Prophet as a turning point in world history.

He said the annual celebration should go beyond festivities and provide an opportunity for Muslims and other Nigerians to reflect on the teachings and exemplary life of the Prophet.

He urged Muslims to use the occasion for “sober reflections and deep introspection” on their conduct and relationship with the commandments of Allah as conveyed by the Prophet.

He urged political leaders to study and emulate the Prophet’s inclusive and equitable approach to governance.

The former governor also called on Muslims to use the occasion to pray for the country amid its numerous challenges.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, urged Muslim faithful to promote peace, unity and compassion.

While felicitating with Muslim faithful in the state, Idahosa, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, urged Muslims to use the occasion to reflect on the exemplary life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), particularly his virtues of peace, compassion, humility, tolerance and love for humanity.

The deputy governor called on the Muslim faithful to uphold these values in their daily lives, stressing the need to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and promote peaceful coexistence among the people.

He also urged Muslims to pray for the continued peace, unity and prosperity of Edo State and Nigeria, while encouraging them to extend kindness and support to the less privileged in their communities.

“This sacred occasion offers us an opportunity to reflect on the exemplary life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), particularly his virtues of peace, compassion, humility, tolerance and love for humanity,” he said.

The Anambra State First Lady, Nonye Soludo, congratulated Muslims across the country and called on them to allow the occasion to inspire them to show greater kindness and understanding to one another.

Soludo, who is the founder of the non-governmental organisation, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, also urged the people to imbibe the good teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by extending a hand of fellowship to the needy and vulnerable in society.

In a statement issued by her media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, on Tuesday, she urged Muslims and Nigerians to promote peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence across the country.

She also tasked Muslim faithful in the state and across the country to make a deliberate effort to adhere to the teachings of Eid-el-Maulud.

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged Muslims across Nigeria to use the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud to promote peace, compassion, unity and peaceful coexistence.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a goodwill message issued in Abuja on Tuesday, felicitated with Muslims, particularly those in Kogi Central, and urged them to reflect on the life, teachings and exemplary character of Prophet Muhammad.

The senator said the annual celebration should go beyond festivities and provide an opportunity for Muslims to renew their commitment to values capable of strengthening the country amid its social and economic challenges.

She said, “Maulud is a beautiful opportunity for us to reflect on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whose message emphasised compassion, justice, humility, peace and love for humanity.

“These timeless values remain essential to building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”

The senator also called on Muslims in Kogi Central to sustain the longstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence among the various communities and religious groups in the district.

CAN urges peaceful coexistence

The Christian Association of Nigeria also urged Nigerians to make mercy, compassion, justice and peaceful coexistence central to their lives as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Maulud.

The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in an Eid-el-Maulud message on Tuesday, congratulating Muslims across the country as he prayed for peace and blessings upon their families and communities.

Okoh said the celebration of the birth of the Prophet provided an opportunity for Muslims and Nigerians generally to reflect on values associated with the Prophet’s life, including mercy, justice, compassion for the poor and vulnerable, honesty and peaceful coexistence.  He said, “For us as Nigerians, these values are especially important today because they challenge us to care for one another, protect human dignity and pursue peace even when our differences are exploited for political or personal gain.”

The CAN president noted that the celebration came at a difficult time for many Nigerians, as rising living costs and insecurity continued to affect households and communities across the country.

“People are tired of promises; they want to see their lives improve,” he said.

Okoh, therefore, urged the Federal Government and leaders at all levels to move from promises to visible action, stressing that Nigerians needed greater security, economic relief and leadership that prioritised their welfare. “Leadership is not measured by what we promise, but by what Nigerians can see and feel,” he said.

He also urged politicians, ahead of the 2027 general elections, not to exploit religious or ethnic differences for political advantage.

According to him, elections would come and go, but the bonds holding Nigeria together must remain.

Okoh called on Christians and Muslims to resist attempts by politicians and other interests to divide them for political gain, stressing that both groups had a shared responsibility to protect their communities, care for vulnerable Nigerians and work together for peace.

PDP congratulates Muslims

The PDP also called on Nigerians to draw lessons from the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by promoting peace, justice, tolerance and peaceful coexistence across the country.

The party made the call in a Maulud message issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed.

The PDP said the occasion provided an opportunity for Muslims and Nigerians generally to reflect on the values embodied in the Prophet’s life, particularly compassion, honesty, justice and love for humanity.

According to the party, these values remained relevant to the challenges confronting Nigeria and should guide citizens and leaders in their efforts to build a more united and prosperous nation.

“Maulud Nabi is a significant occasion for Muslims to reflect on the life, teachings and exemplary character of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), whose message of peace, justice, compassion, honesty and love for humanity continue to inspire generations,” the statement read in part.

The opposition party urged Nigerians to use the occasion to strengthen national unity and deepen mutual respect among citizens, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political differences.

“At this special time, the PDP urges Nigerians to draw from these timeless virtues by promoting unity, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” it said.

The party’s message came against the backdrop of persistent concerns over insecurity, political tensions and social divisions in the country, with calls from various quarters for greater national cohesion and responsible leadership.

The PDP also used the occasion to call for prayers for peace and stability, as well as divine guidance for political and public office holders at all levels. It said Nigeria’s leaders required wisdom and courage to discharge their responsibilities in ways that promoted justice, equity and good governance.