By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Wordwide, has sent its best wishes to congratulate and felicitate with the Leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Islamic faithful in the country and the world at large, on the occasion of the 1422 AH Idul-Fitri Festival, having successfully completed the month-long Ramadan fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam in fulfilment of their duty to Allah.
Sending the felicitation via a statement issued and signed by Amb. Tony Chiemelu Obizoba, Director General, Strategic Plannings and Implementations, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was particularly appreciative of the Sultan for handling the Muslims in the path of peace, unity and development.
“We send our best wishes to Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar in particular, for leading the Muslim Ummah in the direction of peace, unity and development of our nation and as a shining example of what the contribution of religious communities should be, in nation-building.
“We are bold to say that as Igbo family in the house called Nigeria, we are not unmindful of immense contribution of the Sultan to the togetherness and sustainable continuity of peace and security, as well as development of Nigeria.
“We acknowledge that the Sultan, as the leader of the largest traditional, ethnic and religious institutions in Africa, has played a good role and his example is being seriously followed.
“To our Muslim brothers and sisters, we not only felicitate with you in this great season but also urge you to apply the lessons of the month-long Ramadan fasting in co-building a virile Nigerian society that is devoid of ethnic, religious and differential rancour so that the dream-Nigeria of the founding fathers of our nation, will be easily achievable.
“We are seizing this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that the Ndigbo, under the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Wordwide is set to build and strengthen bridges with a view to coming out as an Igbo-Land that is generally friendly, loving, inclusive and participatory in the achievement of One United and indivisible Nigeria.
“We call on Nigerians across religions and tribes to love one another and continue to live together with the reality of the fact that the large population and diversity we share, cannot possibly be sources of problems but strength for us all.
“While celebrating the Feast of Ramadan, we ask our Muslim brothers and sisters to continue to uphold our nation in prayers especially at these difficult times.”
