By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has urged Muslim faithfuls to harness the lessons of Ramadan fasting to promote unity and peace among the state’s diverse ethnic groups.
Speaking at the Muhammadu Buhari square in Lokoja on Sunday, where he joined other Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan, Governor Ododo emphasised the importance of embracing the values of patience, sacrifice, and compassion that Ramadan embodies.
He urged Muslims to sustain the values of compassion, peace, and progress learned during Ramadan, promoting a harmonious and prosperous society that benefits the state’s development.
“I am deeply grateful to God for the gift of life and the rare privilege for me and my Team to serve our people here in kogi State and of course the Nation.
“I thank each and everyone of you, men and women, brothers and sisters of our dear state for your support and believe in our aspirations to serve our land. This support in making us deliver on our campaign promises and the mandate given to us by God Almighty.
“My message to the people of Kogi State is for us to continue to reflect on the lesson learnt from the Ramadan speech. The lesson of compassion, the lesson of love, the lesson of peace, the lesson of unity and of course understanding,” the Governor said.
The Governor called on all Kogi State indigenes to unite and support his administration’s efforts to build a prosperous and proud state for all.
In his Eid-El-Fitr sermon, Imam Dhahir Hussaini, reminded Muslims to always revere God Almighty in their daily lives. He stated the importance of accountability, noting that every individual will be called upon to answer for their actions on earth.
He expressed that God only accepts deeds from the righteous, cautioning that those who stray from the righteous path and succumb to sin will be denied God’s favor on the Day of Resurrection.
Imam Hussaini, continued his sermon by emphasising God’s commandment to humanity to remain steadfast in obedience.
He underscored the importance of unwavering commitment to faith, stressing that Muslims have a duty to be resolute in their words and actions at all times.
He also warned against associating partners with God, cautioning that such behavior can lead to spiritual deviation and misguidance.