Eid-el-Maulud: Tinubu, CAN, Idris congratulate Muslims, call for Nigerians’ unity

President Bola Tinubu has urged Muslims across the country to use this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration to renew their commitment to the virtues of devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

The President, who congratulated the Muslim faithful on the commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet, said the occasion should go beyond festivities to serve as a period of introspection, prayer and reflection on the Prophet’s teachings.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Nigerians had much to learn from the life and conduct of Prophet Muhammad.

“The Muslim faithful should make 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”, the President said.

Tinubu also called on religious leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for Nigeria and encourage their followers to translate the lessons of the Prophet’s life into greater commitment to the peace, unity and progress of the country.

He particularly urged Nigerians to pray for an end to insecurity and other challenges confronting some parts of the country.

The President further called on Muslims celebrating Eid-el-Maulud to demonstrate the Prophet’s teachings through acts of compassion and generosity, especially towards the less privileged.

He urged the faithful to extend a hand of fellowship to the needy and vulnerable in the spirit of the celebration.

Tinubu wished the Muslim Ummah a peaceful and spiritually rewarding Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

In a related development, the Christian Association of Nigeria has 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 of Islam 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.

He said he remained hopeful about Nigeria, but noted that such hope must be supported by “responsible leadership, good citizenship and justice.”

“May this Eid-el-Maulud renew our commitment to mercy, peace and compassion, and inspire us to build a Nigeria where every citizen can live with dignity and hope,” he added.

Okoh wished Muslims across the country an “Eid-el-Maulud Mubarak” and prayed for God’s blessings upon Nigeria.

Also, while congratulating Muslims, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris urged them to use the occasion to reflect on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), particularly his message of peace, compassion, patience, justice, humility and respect for others.

Idris wrote, “These values are especially important as Nigeria continues to navigate a period of reform and renewal. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Federal Government remains committed to building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria through reforms aimed at strengthening our economy, improving security, investing in infrastructure and expanding opportunities in education, skills development and enterprise.

“The progress being made requires patience, sacrifice and a shared commitment from all Nigerians. As we celebrate, let us therefore continue to support the efforts to build a more secure, stable and prosperous country, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

“I urge us to embody the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in our daily lives by showing kindness to one another, rejecting hatred and division, and promoting peaceful coexistence in our communities. Let us also remember the less privileged and extend a helping hand to those in need.

“May this blessed occasion strengthen our faith, deepen our commitment to peace and unity, and bring blessings to our families and communities.

“May Allah continue to guide our leaders, protect our nation and grant Nigeria lasting peace, security and prosperity.”