As Muslims worldwide mark Eid-el Kabir, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the festival to pray for the nation at this time so that peace and security could prevail.
Dangote in a statement in Lagos said his belief in the country remained unshaken because there is no challenge that can defy God pointing out all Nigerians need is to continue to pray to God and cooperate with the government to jointly solve the nation’s problem.
The acclaimed richest man in Africa while wishing all Muslim Ummahs a spiritually rewarding festival described the present situation in Nigeria as a passing phase and told Nigerians not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by despair but put on courage and determination
He stated that the eid-el kabir, which is a feast of sacrifice should be used by the muslims to sacrifice for the progress of the nation and to rededicate themselves to the service of God and humanity.
While noting that both Islam and Christianity preach peace, love for one another, honesty, Dangote said “it is high time Nigerians rededicate themselves and maintain the virtues, without which the country would continue to wander hopelessly.”
“According to him, God has blessed us in this country, what others are paying through their noses to get are given to us free by God. We owe Allah much gratitude and also pray for us to be able to harness these God given resources for the growth and development of our nation.”
While calling on Nigerians to desist from activities to could hampered peaceful co-existence, Dangote stated that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancor and hostility.
The business mogul said Nigeria has been destined to be great by God and that is why he believed it would overcome its social, political and economic challenges to attain its greatness. “All that is required of us as I said earlier is for us to make the necessary sacrifices.”
According to him, as people slaughter and eat rams to mark the festival the essence of the sallah should not be lost on them, “let us live in peace and love and eschew all forms of violence, strife, insecurity, corruption, indiscipline, disrespect for constituted authority, and all forms of criminality and social vices.”
The business mogul also have advice for the youths, whom he admonish to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and hard work. He urged them to channeled their energy towards a positive direction that can help lift the nation.
Dangote said it is a good thing that the federal government is committed to job creation, just as the indigenous entrepreneurs are also complimenting efforts in that direction so that the teeming unemployed youths could be gainfully employed.
He reiterated his plan to invest $12 billion in the country, out of which $2.3 billion will be invested in sugar and rice production in Adamawa State to create about 180, 000 jobs and combat terrorism in the North East.
The Africa’s richest man said he would invest a total of $12billion dollars in Nigeria and $4billion in other parts of Africa in the next five years, noting that he would not have invested in the country if the atmosphere was not conducive.
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