As the Muslim Ummah in Gombe State and the citizenry in general begin the Ramadan fast today, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Dan Majen Gombe) has urged the Muslim Ummah and the citizenry in general to devote more time to praying for Nigeria during the holy month and beyond for Allah’s intervention as the country grapples with security and other socio-economic challenges.
According to a statement signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, on Saturday, Governor Inuwa stressed the need of everyone doing their part in finding new ways to solve the country’s problems in a goodwill message to commemorate the beginning of the Ramadan fast.
He urged people to take use of the Holy Month’s opportunity to pray diligently for peace and security, as well as the State’s and Nigeria’s property.
In his words, “ as one of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan fast avails the Ummah a golden opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation and devotion through supplication and other acts of worship.
“We therefore must use this opportunity to pray fervently for our dear state and the nation as well as for those in authority as we collectively battle to combat the many challenges facing our nation and humanity such as banditry, kidnappings and insurgency among other criminalities.
He expressed confidence that the country would overcome its obstacles and emerge stronger as a result of the citizens’ prayers, devotion, and patriotism.
During their Tafsir sessions, the Governor exhorted the clerics to preach on the necessity of peaceful coexistence and to avoid doing anything that would jeopardize the state’s and country’s peace and unity, just as he urged the well-to-do to help those in need.
Governor Inuwa, in particular, urged the Muslim Ummah to always embody the spirit and values of Ramadan, and by extension, Islam, in their daily lives by adhering to the religion’s precepts, which promote peace, kindness, and obedience.
He advised the people of the state to continue to follow the law and not to jeopardize the jewel state’s current peaceful coexistence with any myopic feeling.
“On our part, we shall continue to live up to our commitment of ensuring the provision of basic amenities, equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities and social services across the nooks and crannies of the state to promote unity and facilitate social inclusion,” the Governor said.