As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri yesterday, President Umaru Yar’Adua has admonished the country’s religious and political leaders to let the fear of God always guide their actions and decisions.
He made the call in Abuja on Sunday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Adamu Aliero led a delegation of top government functionaries and prominent residents of the city to pay the traditional Sallah homage to the president.
He said it was only the fear of God that would make the leaders realize their responsibilities, reflect on them and drive them to discharge their duties honestly to the development of the country and the wellbeing of the citizenry.
“It is this fear of Allah that will drive those who Allah has bestowed with power over administration or the mind of others or over knowledge and wisdom, to make them reflect and ensure that the trust bestowed upon them by Allah is not betrayed.
“I pray Allah to guide those of us who are leaders in politics, business, religion, military, indeed, all Nigerians to reflect on their responsibilities and discharge these responsibilities with the fear of Allah,” he stated.
In the task of nation-building, the president said it also behoved on all to work hard and act responsibly, honestly and transparently so that the country could be taken to the next level of development.
“I call on Nigerians and Moslems to fear Allah because that is the first great achievement of any human being and I hope this fear of Allah will lead us to help our fellow countrymen and to contribute our own quota to the development of Nigeria and humanity,” he further pointed out.
Expressing gratitude to God for His protection and mercies for the country and the people, he urged all those who partook in the 30-day fasting that culminated in the sallah celebration to continue to apply the lessons of the exercise throughout their lives, adding: “I hope the lessons learnt during this month will increase our worth.”
President Yar’Adua pointed out that Nigeria was facing developmental challenges in the face of global recession and urged all to work hard and transparently respond to the needs of the youth who he said must be guided to channel their creative energies and academic endowments to positive results.
Earlier in his comment on the occasion, the FCT minister and leader of the delegation, Aliero said the residents of the FCT and indeed the entire country had a lot to thank the president for what he called unprecedented development going on in the city.
He said apart from the on-going expansion of the two major roads in the city, the city was witnessing general improvement in infrastructure and other facilities for which the people would eternally be grateful to the president.
The minister also commended the president for initiating key programmes and policies which he said had brought about peace and tremendous progress in the country.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion are Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alhaji Idris Kutigi; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo; Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Adulrahman Danbazzau; Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Osita Chidoka; ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and other top government functionaries.
From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja
Monday, September 21, 2009
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