At the heart of the 2024 Eid-ul-Adha celebration in Lagos, kakalistiq.com reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, First Lady Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and Associate Professor Nosiru Onibon called on Nigerians to embrace the spirit of sacrifice and show love to their neighbours. The event, which took place recently in Lagos, highlighted the importance of obedience, charity, and community.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, emphasized the significance of Eid-ul-Adha as a time for obedience and sacrifice. “The lessons are about sacrifice and obedience, so we must use that to sustain our lives and do the right things. We must sacrifice for our nation, state, family, and neighbours, as it will make it easy for all of us to live together,” he stated. He also urged residents to maintain good hygiene, advising them to wash their hands and keep their environments clean.
The Governor expressed his gratitude for the peaceful coexistence among residents and encouraged them to continue working towards sustainable peace. “Experiencing another Eid is a product of favour from Allah,” he noted, underscoring the importance of gratitude and community harmony.
In her welcome address, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu highlighted the essential values of sacrifice and obedience to Allah’s will. She called on residents to pray for the peace and progress of the state and to promote good hygiene practices. “We must all work together to eliminate social vices from our society,” she urged, appealing to religious leaders to advocate against negative behaviours.
Guest lecturer Associate Professor Nosiru Olajide Onibon delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “Leveraging on the Gains of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha for Building a Better Society.” He emphasized the interconnectedness of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha, pointing out that both are pillars of Islam and are vital for societal improvement. Onibon stressed three key principles for faithful adherence: absolute faithfulness to Allah, loyalty to one’s place of birth and country, and the fulfilment of promises.
“The missing link in any relationship is trust, and the fulfilment of promises helps build that trust,” Onibon observed. He highlighted that distrust between the government and the people stems from past unfulfilled promises and stressed that fulfilling promises is crucial for promoting a better society.
Reflecting on the need for sacrifice, Onibon stated, “The only missing link between government and the people is trust because the failure of those in government to fulfill promises in the past built distrust between the government and the governed.” He called on Nigerians to contribute to the betterment of society by making sacrifices, much like those who came before.
The celebration featured musical interludes and prayers for leaders and residents, including solemn prayers for Nigeria, the President, Governor, Deputy Governor, and their families, as well as for state executive council members, lawmakers, the judiciary, and public servants.
The Eid-ul-Adha event served as a reminder of the power of sacrifice and community spirit, urging all Nigerians to embrace these values for a harmonious and prosperous society.
