Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has felicitated the Muslim Ummah over the sighting of the moon that signifies the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast as he urged the people to dedicate the season to praying fervently for the state and the country at large.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, Bello admonished the Muslims to align themselves with the universal values of peace, kindness, love and respect for others which the Islamic faith promotes.
He noted that the Ramadan period, which is globally revered, should be utilised by Muslim faithful across the nation to pray for progress and peace while admonishing them to engage in good deeds and acts of Ibadah
“I wish to congratulate the Muslim Ummah for witnessing another month of Ramadan and to wish them a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.
“The holy month of Ramadan, for millions around the world has always been an opportunity to renew and strengthen their faith through rigorous fasting, devout prayers, reading of the Quran, reflective meditation, and carrying out of charitable deeds.
“All these acts closely conformed to the universal values that the Islamic faith promotes, namely, peace, kindness, love and respect for others”, the governor said.
Bello called on Muslims to devote more time to prayer and acts of charity as they similarly strived to improve their self-discipline motivated by hadith.
He further admonished that this year’s Ramadan, which has coincided with the transition of democratic leadership of the nation and many states, should be used to pray for peace, unity, and progress of the nation.
Bello added that Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship, as followers of Islam were expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W).
The Governor prayed for God to bestow on all Muslim Ummah good health to engage Faithfully and benefit from the blessings of the season.