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Tag: Eid-El-Kabir

  • Eid-el-Kabir: NLC appeals to employers to respect workers’ sacrifice

    Eid-el-Kabir: NLC appeals to employers to respect workers’ sacrifice

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, has appealed to employers to show respect for their workers’ sacrifice.

    Wabba gave the advice in a statement entitled “A worthy sacrifice for a workforce“ issued on Tuesday in Abuja to mark the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir.

    He said that elected political office holders, administrators in the bureaucracy and employers in the private sector must not forget workers sacrifice.

    According to him, so many times the labour and sacrifice of workers are held in contempt by those who should appreciate them.

    “Employers hold workers in contempt and trample upon the sacrifice they make when they owe workers arrears of salaries and deny them the minimum wage.

    “In recent times we have witnessed increasing waves of hostility, scorn and contempt on the labour and sacrifice of Nigerian workers by some elected political office holders.

    “Despite earning some of the lowest wages in Africa, Nigerian workers are usually the first to be laid off en masse and at the drop of a hat.

    “We want to use the opportunity of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir to appeal to the conscience of employers in Nigeria to show some respect for workers’ sacrifice, ’’he said.

    He also said that workers were not slaves to be used, sapped, and tossed aside, pointing out that workers were partners in progress.

    He said employers and workers must all renew their commitment to making worthy sacrifices towards building a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, secured, and sustainable society.

    According to him, labour moves society forward and Nigerian workers deserve not just the minimum wage but a living wage.

    “We demand wage justice now! State governors yet to fully implement the national minimum wage and the consequential salary increase belong to the league of politicians who pour contempt and scorn on the sacrifice of Nigerian workers.

    “Employers who deny workers social protection benefits regard workers as no better than slaves.

    “Elected political office holders, who believe that paying workers their salaries as when due is a misplaced priority, have a misplaced sense of judgment. Such do not deserve our respect.

    “On this Eid-el-Kabir, workers must not wait for any political office holder or employer to confer worth on our sacrifice, ’’he said.

    The NLC president also called on government to take utmost caution not to criminalise social dialogue.

    According to him, social dialogue can only be meaningful when every party comes to the table in good faith.

    “Government being the custodian of the ideals of our collective civilisation must embrace social dialogue with utmost good faith. Peaceful protest is a form of social dialogue.

    “Peaceful protesters must not be harassed, humiliated, brutalised, maimed, imprisoned or killed. Violent crushing of peaceful protest sends a very dangerous signal that civilisation and indeed our shared humanity have failed.

    “The government as the embodiment of our sovereignty must ensure we never get to that point,’’ he said.

    Wabba also said that as we celebrate the Sallah this year, we must all be mindful of the prevalence of the third wave of COVID-19.

    He said that it has afflicted many countries of the world with the very virulent Delta variant.

    He urged all citizens and workers to be on guard and take necessary precautions, urging dutiful frontline workers not to let down their guard.

    He also urged them to continue to religiously observe COVID-19 handling and treatment protocol.

    Wabba, while speaking on the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir, reminded Muslim faithful of the mercies and benevolence of Allah.

    “Eid-el-Kabir is very significant in the life of every Muslim due to the virtues and values that it conveys.

    “ The celebration of Eid-el-Kabir reminds us of the loving provision and sacrifice of Almighty Allah which has continued to sustain humanity.

    “We urge the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of this Sallah to pray for the forgiveness of sins, peace in our country, for the safe return of all victims of hostage-for-ransom all over the country and for prosperity.

    “There can never be development without peace and security. We urge those who feel aggrieved with the state to give peace a chance.

    “We appeal to those who feel wronged by the system to give peace a chance. We implore those who feel shortchanged by society to give peace a chance,’’ Wabba said.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Saraki greet Muslims

    Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Saraki greet Muslims

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and a host of other influential Nigerians have sent congratulatory messages to Nigerians on this year’s occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President emphasised the significance of the celebration, and appealed to Muslims “to demonstrate the good virtues of Islam.

    The President said: “Taking advantage of the celebration to exploit fellow citizens through outrageous prices of food and rams is inconsistent with the fine virtues of Islam.

    “As practising believers, we shouldn’t seek obscene profits by making life difficult and miserable for others. We should not seek happiness at the expense of others. Remember that Islam is a religion of charity that urges us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

    President Buhari added: “I urge all Muslims to continue to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians of other faiths in the spirit of peaceful coexistence. Let us pray for the progress of Nigeria at all times. Let us expose undesirable elements among us who are creating security problems for the country”, he said.

    The Senate President on his part called on Nigerians and Muslims to work for peace, unity and progress of the country.

    In a message, he said: I felicitate with all Nigerians and the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

    “Every true Muslim is always grateful to Allah the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful for the privilege to celebrate Sallah, regardless of our circumstances.

    “The best way to demonstrate our gratitude to Allah is to share His blessings with our neighbours and show love and kindness to all, as taught us by Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

    “I also want to use the occasion to urge the faithful and all Nigerians to be steadfast in working and praying for the peace, unity and progress of our beloved country.

    “The current challenges are painful but this is a passing phase in our historical process of nation-building.

    “The government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined that we get the challenges behind us and steady our nation’s march to its manifest destiny of greatness.

    “The Ninth Senate and entire National Assembly will continue to facilitate the legislative environment needed for the success of all the efforts at the public and private sectors targeted at the security, peace and prosperity of Nigeria.”

    In a similar message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila called for prayers and unity of purpose among Nigerians urging them to use the Eid-el-Kabir to pray for their leaders as they find solutions to the country’s problems.

    Gbajabiamila said Nigerians must remain united and steadfast to be able to face the challenges confronting the country.

    He called on Muslims to imbibe the habit of sacrifice and love for one another as characterised by the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (SAW).

    Speaker Gbajabiamila said there is more that unites us as a people, hence the need for togetherness and peaceful coexistence.

    His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, in a statement, said the Speaker urged Nigerians to conduct themselves in a patriotic manner as “we have no other country we can call our own than Nigeria.

    He said: “I congratulate my Muslim compatriots for marking this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. This is a time for us to be more united as a people.

    “As Muslims, we must make frantic efforts to emulate the virtues of the Holy Prophet, whose life is a perfect example of what we all should be.

    “The act of sacrifice, one of the major lessons of the Eid-el-Kabir, should be part of our lives. We must make sacrifices for ourselves, our families, our friends, our neighbours, and of course, our country.

    “I enjoin all of us to continue to be good citizens and make meaningful contributions for our continuous peaceful coexistence.”

    In his own goodwill message, the immediate Past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki congratulated Muslims across the world on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration while also calling on the ummah in Nigeria to continue to demonstrate fear of God which he described as a key ingredient in building a better Nigeria.

    Saraki in his Sallah message released in Ilorin and signed by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also noted that, like last year, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival is holding with the Covid-19 pandemic still prevalent while the challenge has prevented many Muslims from embarking on the holy pilgrimage.

    “The essence of Eid-El-Kabir is the demonstration of the fear of Allah by Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) and his son, Prophet Ismail (ASW). If all of us can imbibe the fear of Allah, then our society will be better. Our country will develop if leaders display fear of Allah in taking key decisions that will affect the interests of the country and lives of the ordinary people.

    “Only the fear of God will compel leaders to always take decisions that will engender unity, peace, justice, equity and development in the country. Also, if ordinary people display the fear of God, we will all obey the laws and justifiably insist on the government initiating the right policies at all times.

    “Therefore, my muslim brothers and sisters should focus their prayers during this festival period on how Allah can help us to entrench fear of God in our society and in us as individuals, families, governments, corporate bodies and institutions. This is all we need to restore peace, prosperity, development and build a more efficient country that can serve the interest of all and sundry”, Saraki stated.

    He further prayed for God’s protection and success for all members of the security agencies on the frontline fighting against insurgents and other criminals. “May Allah heal our land and give us victory over all threats to the territorial integrity of our country. Eid mubarak !”, he added.

  • [Special Report] Sallah: Nigerians go for alternatives as prices of rams, foodstuffs, others skyrocket

    [Special Report] Sallah: Nigerians go for alternatives as prices of rams, foodstuffs, others skyrocket

    The Eid-el- Kabir is a sacred month in Islam, one in which Muslims perform the Ḥajj (Holy Pilgrimage) as well as observe the Festival of Sacrifice.

    Eid-ul-Adha also referred to as the festival of sacrifice, is celebrated worldwide by Muslims and is marked with the slaughtering of rams, cows, and sheep. In Muslim parlance, the festival is the most important feast in the Muslim calendar because it is an occasion to celebrate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, in submission to Allah’s command.

    However, for most Nigerian Muslims, this year’s celebration scheduled to commence on Tuesday (today) may be devoid of the usual pomp and pageantry no thanks to the skyrocketed prices of foodstuff, cows, rams and other items needed to celebrate the festival.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that prices of food items have been on the high side lately. Nigerians have continually groaned and tasked government to provide urgent solutions before people take to crime as a means of survival.

    A survey of the ram market in Lagos saw prices pegged between N120,000 to N400,000. As if that is not enough, prices of alternatives (frozen fish and chicken), as well as rice and tomatoes, are also hitting the roof.

    Don’t kill your yourself, go for alternatives if you can’t afford ram – Cleric

    “When The Desirable is Not Available, The Available Becomes Desirable!,” these were the words of a popular Islamic cleric in the Alimosho axis of Lagos State when asked why he did not stock his house as usual with rams and other items to commemorate this year’s eid-el-Kabir.

    “You see the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not in any portion of the Quran force it on Muslims to go out of their way when it is not comfortable for them to sacrifice cows or rams to mark Eid-el-Kabir. You can and should do it when it is convenient for you. We all are witnesses to how expenses things particularly anything food is in Nigeria today. So should I go and start borrowing from people or force it on them to buy what they cannot afford? By the grace of the Almighty Allah, this is will not be our last sallah. What we cannot do this year, we will do more next year. And like the popular saying goes: “When The Desirable is Not Available, The Available Becomes Desirable!,” So I go for alternatives and advice other Muslims to do same to avoid running into debts.”

    Where there is food inflation – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari while admitting the ugly trend of food inflation on Monday blamed it on flooding, middlemen, COVID-19 and insecurity.

    “Apart from the destruction caused to rice farms by floods, middlemen have also taken advantage of the local rice production to exploit fellow Nigerians, thereby undermining our goal of supporting local food production at affordable prices,” the President was quoted as saying.

    “COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the economies of all countries, including Nigeria, in addition to the fact that floods have caused large scale destruction to agricultural farmlands, thereby impacting negatively on our efforts to boost local production in line with our policy to drastically reduce food importation.

    “No government in our recent history has invested as heavily as we are doing to promote local production of about 20 other commodities, through the provision of loans and several other forms of support to our farmers.”

    Speaking on the deteriorating insecurity in the country, Buhari lamented that it “has produced severe and adverse effects on agriculture because farmers are prevented from accessing their farms by bandits and terrorists.

    “Let me also use this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that we are taking measures to address our security challenges. We have started taking delivery of fighter aircraft and other necessary military equipment and hardware to improve the capacity of our security forces to confront terrorism and banditry.”

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Adamawa Govt cancels Sallah homage

    Eid-el-Kabir: Adamawa Govt cancels Sallah homage

    The Adamawa State Government has cancelled the 2021 Eid–el –Kabir Sallah homage due to COVID-19 pandemic.

    This is contained in a statement by Prof. Maxwell Gidado, Chief of Staff to Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri on Monday in Yola.

    He said the cancellation was to ensure full adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

    “I am directed to inform the general public that this year’s Eid -el- Kabir Sallah homage on Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri would not hold, hence it is suspended.

    “The governor advised that all Sallah prayers could be held on Eid praying grounds and community Mosques in strick compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

    “The protocols include wearing of facemasks and observing physical distance in order to curb the spread of the disease,” he said.

  • Use Eid-el-Kabir season to pray for national healing- Onochie

    Use Eid-el-Kabir season to pray for national healing- Onochie

    As Nigerians join the Muslim world to celebrate Eid-el Kabir, a political stalwart, Dr Nnamdi Onochie, has told Nigerians to use the season to pray for national healing and forgiveness.

    Onochie made the appeal in a message to Nigerians, released in Abuja on Monday, to mark the Eid celebrations.

    “I wish to implore our citizens to use this occasion to pray for healing as we draw from the lessons of total obedience to the will of the almighty Allah as seen in the life of Prophet Ibrahim.’’

    He noted that being steadfast was the magic wand needed by Nigerians to surmount various challenges, including abductions of school children, insurgency, secessionist threats and the coronavirus pandemic.

    “I urge my countrymen to remain steadfast in our trust in God, knowing that all these issues affecting the country will soon be over with the coming of a new dispensation in 2023,’’ he stated.

    The former Nigerian envoy to Algeria and the Philippines called on political and religious leaders to draw from the lessons of Eid-el Kabir in the discharge of their duties.

    He said that dependence on the will of Allah by Nigerian leaders was the only way to extricate the country from current economic hardships, insecurity and various ills.

    Onochie pleaded with Nigerians to use the Eid to reinforce their love for one another by showing care, particularly to the less-privileged, the sick, the bereaved, the aged as well as victims of various challenges in the country.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to call on our leaders to use this occasion to show love to those in need, especially those in various refugee camps across the country.

    “My heart also goes to those that have been orphaned by communal crises and other unwarranted insecurity situations in the country.”

    He said that prevailing situations in the country called for Nigerians to be one another’s keeper, united by love and peace in all nooks and cranes in the country.

  • IG orders tight security ahead Eid-el-Kabir celebration

    IG orders tight security ahead Eid-el-Kabir celebration

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba has directed zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to put necessary security measures in place to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free Eid-el-Kabri celebration.

    Baba assured the nation that the police were ready to sustain efforts in fighting crimes and criminality as well as improve public safety and security across the country.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police (CP), said: “The IGP particularly directed the Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to put in place all necessary security measures to ensure a secure, peaceful and incident-free celebration.

    “They are to, among other things, deploy human and other operational assets to carry out confidence building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship, other places of public resort and around all critical national infrastructure.

    Read Also; FACT-CHECK: False! FG did not declare three-day holiday for Eid-ul-Adha
    “The IGP equally warned that personnel deployed must be professional and mindful of the fundamental rights of the citizens, and discharge their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.

    “The IGP, while congratulating the Muslim faithful in the country on the occasion of the Year 2021 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, reiterated that the Force would continue to improve on the recent gains achieved in stabilising security order in parts of the country, protecting lives and property of citizens, and denying space for crimes and criminality to thrive in and around the country.”

    Also, the Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara and Ogun states’ police commands have urged the residents to be vigilant during the Sallah celebration.

    They implored the people to join the efforts by the police to protect their lives and their property from criminals.

    The Kwara State Police Command said it had deployed 2,000 officers and men for the celebration.

    “The command wishes to advise that we should be vigilant and be conscious of happenings around us, report strange faces, movements and activities to the police, using the following police emergency numbers: 08125275046/070-320-69501,” said a statement yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, by the command’s spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi, a Superintendent of Police (SP).

    Also, a statement on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by the command’s spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said Police Commissioner Edward Ajogun assured the residents that the police had put necessary security measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property.

    The Kebbi State Police Command advised the residents to report suspicious persons and movements to the nearest police station.

    A statement yesterday in Birni Kebbi, the state capital, by its spokesman Nafi’u Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), urged the people to call 08038797644 and 09062925404 in case of any emergency or distress.

    The Kaduna State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it had deployed 2,500 personnel to boost security during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    The state command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also said it had deployed 800 Regular and 250 Special Marshals for the celebration.

    The Jigawa State government has announced the suspension of traditional durbar in the five Emirate Councils of the state during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Adamu AbdulKadir, announced this in a statement yesterday in Dutse, the state capital, by the spokesperson in the Office of the SSG, Isma’il Ibrahim.

  • Jigawa Govt suspends durbar during Eid-el-Kabir celebration

    Jigawa Govt suspends durbar during Eid-el-Kabir celebration

    Jigawa State Government has announced the suspension of traditional durbar in the five Emirate Councils of the state during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    Alhaji Adamu AbdulKadir, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated this in a statement signed by Isma’il Ibrahim, the Dpokesperson, Office of the SSG, on Sunday in Dutse.

    Abdulkadir said the state government has also directed for the decentralisation of Eid prayers to neighbourhood mosques as well as limitations of all indoor gatherings.

    He said the directive followed a circular from the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, which put six sates and the FCT on red alert, as part of preventive measures against a third wave of the pandemic.

    The measure, he said, was to ensure safe Sallah celebrations in the state.

    While wishing the Muslim faithful happy Eid celebrations, Abdulkadir urged them to be mindful of the possibility for wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: I-G orders security beef up nationwide

    Eid-el-Kabir: I-G orders security beef up nationwide

    The Inspector General of Police (I-G) Mr Usman Baba has ordered security beef up across the country ahead of the 2021 Eid el-Kabir celebration.

    The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    The I-G called on Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the country and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to ensure full compliance to the order.

    Baba said the call was to prevent any untoward situation in their Areas of Responsibility (AoR) throughout the festive season and beyond.

    He directed the zonal AIGs and CPs nationwide to put in place all necessary security measures to ensure a secure, peaceful and incident free Eid el-Kabir celebration.

    “They are to, amongst other things, deploy human and other operational assets to carry out confidence building and crime prevention patrols.

    “The patrols will be on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship, places of public resort and around all critical national infrastructure,” he said.

    He warned that personnel to be deployed must be professional and mindful of the fundamental rights of citizens while discharging their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.

    Baba pledged commitment of the Nigeria Police to sustain its efforts in the fight against crimes and criminality and improve public safety and security across the country.

    He congratulated Muslim faithful in the country on the occasion of the 2021 Eid el-Kabir celebration.

    The I-G said the force would continue to improve on the recent gains achieved in stabilising security in parts of the country and protecting lives and property of citizens,

    Baba enjoined citizens to celebrate and enjoy the Eid el-Kabir in compliance to COVID-19 prevention protocols and security consciousness.

  • JUST IN: FG declares two-day Eid-El-Kabir public holidays

    JUST IN: FG declares two-day Eid-El-Kabir public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 21, 2021, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulates all Muslim faithful and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

    “I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness, and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity, and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment. These mainly are bandits in the North West and North Central, insurgents in the North East, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic agitators, and sundry criminals in other parts of the country” Aregbesola added.

    The Minister assured that the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is “committed to the security of lives and property of every Nigerian, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools, especially with the spate of innocent school children being targets of kidnapping” he added.

    Aregbesola, while wishing Muslim faithful a happy Eid-el Kabir celebration, advised all Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities to law enforcement agencies, especially during this festival.

    He also enjoined on all Nigerians the observance of all Covid-19 protocols, particularly the non-pharmaceutical measures – wearing facemasks, hand washing, and social distancing – designed to keep the transmission of the disease at bay. “We must all take responsibility for containment of the pandemic during this year’s festival,” he said.

    The Minister sympathizes with the families of school children who have been kidnapped or suffered one misfortune or another. “Our hearts and prayers of comfort are with you,” Aregbesola said.

  • New moon sighted as Sultan of Sokoto announces Eid-el-Kabir’s date

    New moon sighted as Sultan of Sokoto announces Eid-el-Kabir’s date

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced that Sunday, July 11, will be the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.

    This was contained in a statement on Sunday signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

    “The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in Conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee on Saturday received reports on the sighting of the crescent of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.

    “The Sultan accepted the report and accordingly declared Sunday, July 11, as the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH,” it read in part.

    Dhul-Hijja is the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims perform the Ḥajj (Holy Pilgrimage) as well as observe the Festival of Sacrifice.

    Nigerian Muslims will now observe the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir on Tuesday, July 20, which is equivalent to 10th of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH.