Legal luminary and gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo state in the last year general election, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, has rejoiced with Muslims across the world on the occasion of this year’s Eid-ul Adha otherwise called Ileya which also climaxes the annual Hajj (Pilgrimage) exercise in Saudi Arabia.
Nigerian Muslims today (Friday) join their counterparts from other nations of the world to celebrate the annual festival on the tenth day of the twelfth month in the Hijrah calendar even as this year’s (1441 A. H) is being held at a time the global community struggles with the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a special Eid message which was contained in statement issued by his Personal Assistant (Political), Prince Olumuyiwa Akinbiyi, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Chief Akintola eulogized Muslims in the country “for their steadfastness, patience and courage in spite of the coronavirus pandemic which started like a child’s play and then escalated to claim many lives and also slow down development across the globe.
“Nigeria, as an integral member of the global community, has also been badly affected by the restrictions, calamities and trepidation imposed by Covid-19 since it found its way into our country early this year but one amazing thing is that it has provided an avenue for Nigerians to demonstrate uncommon courage, ruggedness and optimism against all odds. Nigerians are, no doubt, religious people and a situation whereby all worship centres have to be shut to stop further spread of coronavirus infections is unfortunate just as it was necessary.
“Another unpleasant development is the cancellation of Hajj this year against international pilgrims by the Saudi authorities and this affected several thousands of people in Nigeria as well. In all of this, we still believe in Allah as the only One who would rescue the situation and return normalcy to the world soonest. As we celebrate this time with moderation and caution, it is imperative to call on Muslims and their brethren in other faiths to promote peace, love and understanding among themselves for the sake of humanity.” Akintola stated.
The Ibadan-born politician also used the opportunity to congratulate eminent personalities and members of the general public on the Eid celebration. “We are indeed glad to rejoice with the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and others including Muslim scholars and clerics across the state, traditional rulers such as The Olubadan of Ibadanland, The Alaafin of Oyo, The Soun of Ogbomoso, The Okere of Saki, The Aseyin of Iseyin among other Kabiyesis and title chiefs.
“Finally, we use the same occasion to felicitate all leaders, chieftains, members and supporters of the APC in Oyo state while we are urging them to renew their commitment to the ongoing rebuilding process in our dear party with a view to coming out stronger and virile as we look forward to a wonderful outing in future elections as this is necessary to ensure that the Pacesetter state is put at its rightful place among its peers in the country.” The statement concluded.
