Senator Kola Balogun has called on Nigerians not to forsake or forget the lessons of Ramadan as Muslim faithful celebrate the Eid-El-Fitri.
The former federal lawmaker who represented Oyo South Senatorial District in the ninth Senate stated this in a congratulatory message felicitating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-El-Fitri.
Senator Balogun stated that, while the Eid-El-Fitri is worth celebrating, Muslim faithful and Nigerians as a whole should keep the lessons of Ramadan in their heart.
He said the essence of Eid-El-Fitri is the 30-day fasting, hence the people must put into practice the lessons learnt during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The former lawmaker said the inherent lessons in Ramadan included self-discipline, abstinence, giving, compassion for fellow human, unity and love.
This was as he also urged the Muslim Ummah to keep on praying for peace, growth, progress and development of the country and its leaders at all levels.
“My wife, Mrs Gbonjubola Kola-Balogun and I felicitate with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year’s Eid-El-Fitri.
“This is another auspicious occasion for us as Muslims and as a people to give thanks to the Almighty Allah for His enduring mercies and grace upon our lives.
“It is a thing of joy that we witnessed the beginning and the end of the 30-day fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan, culminating to the Eid-El-Fitri celebration.
“We should be grateful to the Almighty Allah and congratulate ourselves on the successful completion of the Ramadan and for witnessing the first day of the Month of Shawwal.
“However, beyond the merriment accompanying the celebration, we should hold dear to our hearts the lessons of the Ramadan which is the precursor of Eid-El-Fitri.
“We must not forsake or forget these lessons, including self-discipline, abstinence, giving, compassion for fellow human, unity and love, as we celebrate Eid-El-Fitri.
“We must remember that the lessons of Ramadan and Eid-El-Fitri also included a time to renew ourselves spiritually and physically. The 30-day period of abstinence must continually reflect in our daily life.
“I want to ask the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general to imbibe the values of compassion and generosity towards our fellow humans and empathy and prayerfulness for our country.
“We should continue to make the valuable lessons of Ramadan to be a part and parcel of us all. We should seek to strive to be better individuals, good neighbours and loyal citizens.
“We must continue to practice and integrate into our lives the virtues of compassion, giving, love, unity, patience and kindness, as exemplified in the lessons of the Ramadan.
“Above all these, we must reflect on the blessings of Ramadan and the spiritual growth we have experienced to deepen our connection with our faith, ourselves and those around us,” he said.
Senator Balogun also called on Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and continue to pray for Nigeria and its leaders.
“It is my prayer that God will accept our daily supplications to the Almighty Allah to improve the situation of the country and its people.
“On behalf of my family, I wish us all a Happy Eid-El-Fitri. We shall live to witness more of it, Insha Allah,” he added.
