As Muslims in Lagos and Nigeria join their fellow believers the world over to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Party (APC) in Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, has urged every Nigerian of the Islamic Faith to offer special prayers for the peace, progress and continued unity of the country.
Ambode said the commemoration of the birth of the great Prophet should serve as an occasion to further remember Nigeria in prayers, especially as the country prepares for general elections next month.
In a release signed by his Director of Media and Communications, Steve Ayorinde, the former Accountant General of Lagos State said “the Prophet’s special day, coming just after the momentous occasion of the New Year celebration, is an opportunity for every Muslim brother and sister, and indeed all Nigerians, to rededicate themselves to the virtues of charity, selflessness, fairness and good neighbourliness that holy Prophet Muhammad represents.”
While wishing Lagosians and every Nigerian a happy Eid-el-Maulud, the APC flagbearer in Lagos State added that “as we successfully welcomed the New Year and are preparing for violence-free and credible elections, the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud calls for good wishes, belief and commitment to the safety, security and survival of our country and every citizen.”
Ambode’s greetings to Muslims came on a day that he spent quality time at three charity homes in Lagos.
In company with his running mate and the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Oluranti Idiat Adebule, who is a devout Muslim, Ambode visited and donated gifts to the SOS Children’s Village in Isolo; the Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice in Surulere and the Modupe ColeMemorial in Akoka.
The Lagos APC gubernatorial candidate said he decided to commence the New Year with a visit to and thoughts for the less-privileged because “they remind us of why we need to be grateful to our Creator at all times and are the reason why no one should ever be tired of giving.”
Ambode had started the New Year with a prayer and solemn solicitation to the people of Lagos State through a multi-platform communications outreach.
His New Year’s message had read: “Fellow Lagosians, I join you in your prayers for yourselves and your loved ones for this New Year and beyond. I believe that we have said thank you to God for bringing us to this New Year and we have prayed for success, good health, peace and divine guidance.
“I have also prayed to God, and I trust that all our collective prayers and our great hopes for Lagos shall continue to be fulfilled. Our belief in a greater, better Lagos shall never be dashed and 2015 shall for us be a year of hope renewed. Together we shall keep the faith always.”
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