Observing the Eid-el-Kabir congressional prayers in Lagos, President Bola Tinubu charges citizens to reject ethnic bias and prioritize national unity.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on citizens across the federation to utilize the sacred period of Eid-el-Kabir to deepen the essential values of tolerance, mutual generosity, and peaceful coexistence.
The Commander-in-Chief made the call on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, immediately after performing the traditional holiday congregational prayers at the historic Dodan Barracks in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Addressing journalists at the prayer grounds, the President passionately urged Nigerians to completely shun ethnic polarization and all forms of sectional hatred, emphasizing that a nation’s development is stalled when citizens yield to division.
The President was joined in the Sallah worship by a high-powered delegation of political and traditional leaders.
The congregation included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, former Lagos State Governor and Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, among other notable dignitaries.
President Tinubu noted that the “Festival of Sacrifice” remains a profound reminder of absolute obedience, love for humanity, and total submission to divine authority, as historically demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim. He stressed that Nigeria’s vast diversity should be viewed as a unique source of structural strength rather than a tool for political manipulation:
“We thank Almighty Allah for making us witness another year of Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Him for His mercy, and we must learn from this season’s lessons, namely, showing love to one another. No discrimination, no ethnicity, no hatred; we should share love and be generous to one another in a way that reflects the values of our country and humanity. It is essential that we should be very tolerant and obedient to the wishes of Allah and the rule of law, which must guide our society. Our diversity is our strength,” the President declared.
Shifting his focus to national security, the President condemned the ongoing activities of bandits and criminal syndicates, declaring that such acts of terror run completely contrary to holy religious teachings.
Using the spiritual origin of the festival as an example – where a ram was divinely provided to replace the sacrifice of a human child-the President argued that human life is sacred and must be protected at all costs. He reinforced that nowhere in the holy books is the destruction of human life or banditry justified.
Delivering the festive sermon, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, echoed the President’s sentiments, urging the Muslim Ummah to cultivate the fear of God and live in harmony with their neighbors.
The Islamic cleric offered special prayers for President Tinubu’s continued physical health, divine wisdom, and protection, while commending the foundational sacrifices of Nigeria’s past leaders who worked to keep the West African nation united.
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