Eid-el-Kabir: Ugwuanyi visits Enugu mosque, urges special prayers for Buhari, others

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Tuesday joined the Muslim community in the state at the Central Mosque, Owerri Road, to celebrate the feast of Eid-el-Kabir. He also called for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other political leaders in the country. The governor who was warmly received amid jubilation […]

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Tuesday joined the Muslim community in the state at the Central Mosque, Owerri Road, to celebrate the feast of Eid-el-Kabir.

He also called for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other political leaders in the country.

The governor who was warmly received amid jubilation by Muslim faithful in the state, including the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Danmallam Mohammed, the State Director, Department of Security Services (DSS), and Sarkin Hausawa, Alhaji Abukakar Yusuf Sambo, among others, felicitated with them and also requested for a special prayer for Enugu State.

Ugwuanyi expressed happiness at the existing peace in the state, which he said was responsible for the security of lives and property in the state, adding that “this has brought development”.

He said: “As you celebrate in this season of sacrifice, may we all continue to see one another as brothers and sisters for the good of our dear state and our dear country Nigeria.”

The Muslims, who appreciated Ugwuanyi’s presence at the Mosque, also prayed for him and his government for the guidance, peace, protection and blessings of Allah.

They also commended the governor for the “marvelous work he is doing in the state” and reiterated their firm support for him in 2019 and beyond.

In his speech, the Sarkin Hausawa in Enugu State, Alhaji Sambo, said the feast of Eid-el-Kabir, “which is the Eid of sacrifice,” also offered them the opportunity to celebrate the governor, saying, “we are also celebrating you because we have seen the significance of today in you”.

Alhaji Sambo said that Ugwuanyi has demonstrated love and a style of leadership that promotes “unity, togetherness and love for both religions,” adding that the governor is “indeed a great man”, who has visited the mosque on several occasions to identify with them.

“We, the Muslim community in Enugu State, assure you that you have our loyalty; you have our support; you have our prayers because you are indeed a friend of Muslims,” the Sarkin Hausawa said.

Also, the leader of the Yoruba Muslim community in the state, Alhaji Abdulazizi Adebayo, while describing  Ugwuanyi as “a security manager”, compared his cordial relationship with the Muslims to that of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, saying, “You are doing like Awolowo” who was “not a Muslim but was a friend of Muslims”.

In his brief remark, the State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed noted that the governor’s presence at the mosque to rejoice with Muslims was sign of “quality leadership”, stressing that “though a Christian but he decided to join the Muslims on our Sallah day”.

He said: “His Excellency is a great leader and we will continue to support him to make sure that the good people of Enugu State sleep with their two eyes closed.

“As the Yoruba Chief Imam said, he is a security manager. He is beyond a security manager. Truly, he gives us the maximum support we need to operate effectively. We are assuring you that we will not fail you and the good people of Enugu State,” he noted.

The climax of the event was the presentation of a ram to the governor to celebrate the feast as a friend of Muslims.