Religion

Eid Message: I will not rest until I bring relief to Nigerians – PMB

By Web News 394

President Muhammadu Buhari has again reassured that his administration would  continue to address the current security challenges and costs of living in the country, saying ”I won’t rest until I bring relief to Nigerians.”

The President’s media aide, Malam Garba Shehu in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja said the president gave the assurance in his Eid-el Kabir message to Nigerian Muslims and other citizens.

“I am quite aware of the difficulties people are facing and working to resolve them,” the President added.

He, however, urged Nigerians to put the  interest of the country above selfish interests and “use religion as a motivation for the love of our common humanity.”

Buhari said “if we are putting the teachings of our religions into practice, most of the evils afflicting our society would have been solved.”

He frowned at the exploitation of the people by traders and the stealing of public funds by civil servants and other holders of public trust, saying these negative  vices were  reflections of the abandonment of the teachings of our religions.

“Our society is a bundle of contradictions. People display external religiosity without fear of God; they make life difficult for others; money becomes their god; leaders abandon their oaths of office by taking money meant for the welfare of the people and divert it to their private pockets,” he said.

Buhari congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and the world on the occasion of the Eid,  citing for special mention, “the brave men and women in uniform fighting terror on many fronts and their families,  as well as others held hostage and kept away from their families by wicked and heartless terrorists.”

He used the occasion to call on all Muslims to reflect on the significance of the sacrifice epitomised by Eid.

”We should show love and care to our neighbours and others while celebrating this spiritually important event in our lives,” he said.

President Buhari also advised Muslims “to promote the good virtues of Islam through personal examples and practice.

The President expressed the hope that this Eid would be a source of blessing, peace, prosperity and safety for all Nigerians, stressing that coexistence and stability would prevail in the country .

Vanguard / Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Transportation

Transport Fare Hike in Ibadan ahead of Sallah, Lull in Ondo

By Web News 3626

Major motor parks in Ibadan have begun to witness an influx of travelers ahead of the Eid-El Kabir celebration.

Our reporter, who monitored the situation at the interstate motor parks at Challenge, Ogunpa, and  Iwo road reports that the cost of transportation in  buses  from Ibadan to Lagos, Ibadan to Shagamu, Ibadan to  Abeokuta range between 2000 to 3000 naira

While Ibadan to Abuja is 12000 naira, Ibadan to Lokoja is 8000 naira. 

 A commercial driver at Ogunpa Igboora Park, Mr Oluranti Abiodun, said the cost of transport fare was not stable due to the scarcity of petrol. He appealed to the Federal Government to look into the situation to ease the burden on travelers.

Also speaking, a park supervisor at Challenge Bus Terminal, Mr. Olanrewaju Yakubu said there was a low turnout of passengers, attributing it to activities of kidnappers on Nigerian roads, pointing out that the state of insecurity in the country was in one way or the other affecting the transport business.

The situation is not different with inter-city transportation within Ibadan as some residents who are trying to make last-minute shopping and passengers arriving in the city for the celebration are also experiencing a more than 50% rise in  transport fare

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Ondo

The usual hustle and bustle preceding the Sallah at motor parks is quite unnoticed in Akure the Ondo State capital as commuters, motorists and hawkers go about their usual business.

Radio Nigeria reporter, who visited private and government motor parks including Idanre-Park at Okearo, Roadblock, Cathedral, Old Garage, Ondo and Benin Garage as well as the Sunshine Park, observed that passengers were scanty. 

Speaking on the situation, a Sunshine Park official, Comrade Kunle Enìbà-Owoeye disclosed that the transport fare remained normal since there were few commuters on the ground to travel for Sallah.

Comrade Enìbà-Owoeye explained that Akure to Ore was 1500 naira, Akure to Ibadan, 2500 naira and Akure to Lagos 3500 naira, among other trips. 

On their part, two residents, Mrs Febisola Salako and Alhaji Taofik Nuhu enjoined government to address insecurity, the deplorable condition of the roads, frequent fuel hikes, and scarcity at filling stations.

Also, the Public Relations Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Command, Mrs Elizabeth Jayeola said its officers had been deployed across the state to avert gridlock and road carnages, aside from the zero bloodshed sensitization programme organised at Benin garage 

Meanwhile, the Chief Imam, Gbadamosi Memorial Central Mosque, Adebowale, Akure, Alhaji Jamiu Imoyomi advised Muslims to celebrate moderately considering the economic situation in the country.

Olorunferanmi Odofin

Religion

Prayer Grounds Empty in Osun as Muslims Celebrate Eid

By Web News 1020

Muslim faithful in Osun State has joined their counterparts all over the world to mark Eid-el Kabir celebration.

Radio Nigeria correspondent reports that some Islamic groups deified the directive of state government who placed ban on Eid prayer.

Most of Eid prayer grounds visited in Osogbo was empty as Muslim faithful followed the directive of government.

Speaking, an Islamic scholar, Alhaji Kabiru Adesoji said Eid prayer could be observed within the family it was not necessarily at praying ground.

Alhaji Adesoji noted that Prophet Muhammad ordered his followers to always obey the directive of their leaders.

It would be recalled that Osun State Government has earlier placed ban on Eid-el Kabir congregation prayer.

Wasiu Ajadosu

Religion

Salah: Aare Musulumi Urges Muslims to Comply with Covid-19 Precautionary Measures

By Web News 994

Ahead of tomorrow’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration across the world, the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Daud Akinola has advised Muslims faithful to adhere strictly to all Covid-19 protocols at worship centres. 

The Aare Musulumi gave the advice while receiving the Oyo state directorate of the National Orientation Agency, NOA in his house in Ibadan during an advocacy visit. 

Alhaji Akinola who was disturbed by the spike in the cases of coronavirus in Nigeria in recent weeks appealed to Muslims in the state to observe their Eid at homes or central mosques close to them with proper adherence to the use of face mask, hand washing and physical distancing. 

He said the Federal government’s continuous appeal for Nigerians to observe all precautions against the spread of Covid-19 was to ensure the safety of every citizen which he said should be maintained by members of the public. 

Alhaji Akinola also called on the Federal and state governments to intensify efforts at increasing testing capacity, create more isolation centres and upgrade health facilities to cater for the treatment of the people. 

Earlier, Oyo state Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu said the purpose of the visit was to partner the office of the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land to enlighten Muslims on the need to observe Covid-19 precautions during Salah. 

Mrs Dosunmu called on religious leaders to continue to teach their congregants the importance of wearing face mask and physical distancing to curb the spread of the virus. 

Mosope Kehinde