President Goodluck Jonathan
He also assured the entire nation that the Federal Government would continue to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts which have caused insecurity in parts of the country.
Jonathan spoke in his Ramadan message to Muslims made available to SUNDAY PUNCH by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
The President urged Nigerians not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the security agencies, the country would overcome sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism threatening the nation's unity.
The statement read in part, "President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan salutes all Muslims in Nigeria as they begin this year's Ramadan fast.
"As they join fellow adherents of the faith in other parts of the world in undergoing the strictures and spiritual purification of the annual Ramadan fast against the background of security challenges in the country, President Jonathan urges all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace and security in the nation."
Similarly, the Chairman Northern States Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, on Saturday in Minna called on Muslim to use the period of fasting to pray for Allah's guidance, protection and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.
Aliyu, whose message is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Israel Ebije, described Nigeria as a great country that must overcome its social, political and economic challenges to attain its position as a nation on the path of development and leadership on the African continent.
He said, "We must use this period to pray for peace. We must ask Allah to first forgive our sins, then show us the best path to follow in dealing with our differences as a people. We have to go spiritual in ending insurgency, we have to go spiritual in working for a unified aspiration, we have to go spiritual in bringing back the lost trust and bridging the yawning gap of disunity in Nigeria"
In their separate messages, a former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, have urged Muslims to use the holy month of Ramadan to pray for an end to insecurity in Nigeria.
Saraki said, "I urge all Muslim brothers and sisters to use the opportunity of this month's divinity to get closer to Almighty Allah and seek renewal with Allah that will outlive the Month of Ramadan; pray for restoration of Nigeria and importantly a terror-free Nigeria."
Awoniyi called on Muslim faithful to pray to Almighty God for Kogi State and the quick resolution of the security and other challenges currently confronting the nation.
In his Ramadan message by his Chief Press Secretary, Abu Micheal,
he enjoined Muslims to conduct themselves very well during the holy month so that the state can maximize the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the month.
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