Ramadan unique

Lagos —Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of
Lagos State yesterday urged Muslim faithful

and all Lagosians to carry on with the
principles of the holy month of Ramadan
which are love, peace, kindness,
compassion and happy co-existence.
Governor Ambode, who spoke in Lagos
House, Ikeja at a special Eid el-Fitri
celebration organized by the State
Government to mark the end of fasting, said
it is only when the principles of the season
are sustained beyond Ramadan that the
fasting period can be given true meaning.
The Governor, who said that this year’s
Ramadan was unique in the sense that the
thirty-day fasting period was fully observed,
thanked the Muslim faithful for their prayers
and urged them to continue to pray for the
State and the country in general.
He said: “As your Governor, I seek for your
support and cooperation as we move into
the second year of this administration. We
must all play our parts and keep relating
with this government and we will not fail in
making Lagos work for all of us.
“While thanking everyone that has spared
time to join us in this get-together, I enjoin
Muslim faithful and indeed all Lagosians to
sustain the lessons of Ramadan,” the
governor said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, wife of the
Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, thanked
God for giving Muslims the strength to
complete the thirty-day fasting, but stressed
the need for them to remember the essence
of the holy month and the expected renewal
of faith and spiritual cleansing of souls.
She said: “It is important for us to continue
with the principles of the Holy Month.
Ramadan represents love, peace, kindness,
compassion and happy co-existence. The
Holy Prophet held these principles in high
esteem and lived His whole life around
them.
“Therefore, as brothers, sisters, neighbors,
co-workers, we must love one another, show
kindness to one another and live together in
peace. It is when we do these beyond the
fasting period that we give true meaning to
Ramadan,” Mrs. Ambode said.
The event, which attracted hundreds of
Muslims, who flocked to the Lagos House to
celebrate the season with the Governor and
his family, was also attended by dignitaries
from all walks of life including members of
the State Executive Council.
Highlights of the celebration were the Quran
recitation, Islamic quiz and dancing
competition, with winners going home with
prizes courtesy of the wife of the governor.