1st August, 2011
The yearly observance of Ramadan has begun in Nigeria, with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan urging all Muslims to seize the opportunity of the Holy Month to offer prayers for peace, unity, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the nation.
In his goodwill message to followers of the Islamic faith at the commencement of Ramadan, President Jonathan noted that the Holy Month is a most favourable period for such prayers since Moslems believe that God answers more prayers during Ramadan than at any other period.
The President said that while increasing their acts of worship as enjoined during the month, Nigerian Moslems should also rededicate themselves to projecting the Islamic virtues of brotherly love, peaceful co-existence, honesty, tolerance, piety, fairness, equity and justice for all in their dealings with others.
Assuring Moslems in the country of his solidarity with them as they uphold one of the pillars of their faith through the observance of Ramadan, President Jonathan pledged that his Administration will continue to do all within its powers to give all Nigerians a true sense of belonging in the country.
The President reaffirmed that all sections of the country will be fully carried along in the implementation of his agenda for national transformation while developmental projects will be equitably distributed across all geo-political zones.
He urged all Nigerians, in the spirit of the Holy Month, to embrace peace and join hands with the Government to build a more united, progressive and prosperous nation for the benefit of all.
President Jonathan prayed that Almighty God will grant the Moslem faithful in the country the strength and will to successfully undertake the Ramadan fast and that God will also reward their diligent observance of the strictures of the Holy Month.