Tinubu, Shettima, govs preach love for Nigeria’s unity at Eid

President Bola Tinubu and other state governors have urged sacrifices and fraternal love to keep Nigeria united in the face of growing security threats as Nigerians celebrate Eid-El-Kabir in 2025 alongside Muslims around the world.

Tinubu asked Muslims to keep the security forces, particularly the military, in mind during Friday's Eid prayers at Dodan Barracks in Lagos.

We also need to pray fervently for our military to protect us. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the President stated, "They are making sacrifices."

Tinubu urged Nigerians to behave well, saying that the army were giving their lives to combat the nation's problems with terrorism and banditry.

The President also urged Nigerians to embrace selfless generosity and continue to be their brothers' keepers in order to support the less fortunate.

"In the spirit of the season, which is sacrifice, we should never forget to pray and give to those who are most in need.

"We have to band together, take care of our brothers, and help our neighbors." Everyone deserves our affection," Tinubu stated.

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has called on Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu’s administration in order to achieve lasting peace and prosperity in the country.

Shettima also urged Nigerians to look beyond their differences and work together for national progress.

Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, said in a statement that the Vice President made the call on Friday during the Eid prayers at the National Eid Ground on Airport Road in Abuja.

Shettima characterized Eid al-Adha as a serious celebration that has its roots in the obedience and sacrifice of Prophet Abraham, which he claimed were fundamental to the development of a powerful and cohesive Nigeria.

"This is a time for sober introspection, a time to reach out to those who are less fortunate among us, and a time to create bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood. We can all run faster in the marathon that is life, but we may also get tired easily.

 But as a family, as a collective, as a nation, we can gain greater traction and reach our desired destination,” he said.

Shettima urged citizens to stand behind President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the unity of purpose and shared sacrifice were vital in addressing issues like insecurity and poverty.

“What binds us together supersedes whatever that divides us. I wish to thank all Nigerians for their support and empathy, and call on all of us to coalesce into a single purse to confront all of our common challenges of insecurity, destitution, and so many other challenges.

“But be rest assured that no matter how long the night is, it must give way to the light of the dawn. We have crossed the Rubicon, and we are on the path to sustained peace and development,” the vice president added.

Govs, others emphasise Sallah lessons

In a similar vein, the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, enjoined Muslim faithful to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, and tolerance which define the essence of the festival.

Yahaya gave the charge after observing the Eid prayers alongside the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu III, United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall and other dignitaries at the Central Eid Ground in Gombe.

Yahaya called on the faithful to submit wholeheartedly to the will of Almighty Allah in all circumstances, just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) demonstrated.

“As we mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, let us reflect on its core message, which is total submission, obedience, selflessness, and unwavering faith.

Islam instills in us the values of love, modesty, peace, and tolerance. Our individual behavior and our aspirations as a people must be guided by these values," Yahaya stated.


In a same vein, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni congratulated the Muslim faithful and encouraged them to accept the teachings of love, sacrifice, and charity that accompanied the festivities.


The governor pledged that his administration would keep putting the state's citizens' safety, agriculture, and infrastructure development first.

He urged the people to take advantage of the rainy season to engage in agriculture for food security and economic prosperity.

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also called on the Muslims to emulate the spirit of giving exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim.

Speaking shortly after observing the Eid prayer at the Sultan Bello Eid Prayer Ground, the governor urged those blessed with wealth and means to share their blessings with the less privileged and their neighbors.

“Eid-el-Kabir commemorates the profound act of obedience and unwavering faith demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim, who was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail in submission to the command of Almighty Allah,” Governor Sani said.

In his goodwill message, the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, reminded the Muslim faithful of the importance of selflessness, compassion for the less privileged, and devotion to the common good and values.

According to a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the Soludo urged all Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of the Sallah festival.

Similarly, suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also admonished Muslims to reflect on the powerful values of sacrifice, obedience, and faith of the holy celebration.

In his Sallah message, Fubara encouraged Muslims to use the occasion as an opportunity to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity, especially at a time when Nigeria faces serious challenges from insecurity and economic difficulties.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi.

This is as the Christian Association of Nigeria, Taraba State Chapter, also extended warm greetings to the Muslim faithful, describing the Eid-el-Kabir festival as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, devotion, humility, and unity exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

In a goodwill message signed by the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Williams Awoshiri, on Friday, the association noted that these values transcend religious boundaries and are vital to Taraba’s collective journey toward peace, tolerance, and development.

Also, the Zamfara State government, in its goodwill message, urged the people of the state to continue praying for an end to banditry.

 In a Sallah broadcast, the Acting Governor of the state, Malam Mani Mummuni, commended the people of the state for their continued prayers for the success of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration, calling on them not to relent in that direction.

Peaceful celebration in Katsina, Kebbi, Rivers

Meanwhile, the Eid-El-Kabir Sallah celebration was largely peaceful in some parts of the country on Friday.

Our correspondents, who monitored events in Katsina, Kebbi, and Rivers states, reported that hundreds of Islamic faithful gathered at various prayer grounds to mark the holy day in love and unity, while also making various appeals to their state governments.

At the Dan-Fodio Jumu’at Mosque in Katsina, one of the worshippers, who is also the Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Isah Miqdad, urged the state government to prioritise youth empowerment to create more job opportunities for the state’s growing number of unemployed youths.

In Kebbi State, there was also peace during the Sallah celebration, as Muslims, led by the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, and other top government officials, gathered at the Central Eid ground for the annual prayers.

Saturday DOROTV observed that despite the high cost of goods in the country, many still slaughtered hundreds of cows, rams, and other livestock in celebration

There was also a quiet environment in other areas of Rivers State, where many stores were closed. The subdued atmosphere was ascribed by commuters and traders to financial difficulty and the growing expense of life.

A meat vendor named Femi bemoaned the dramatic rise in commodities costs over the previous year at Nvigwe Market in Woji, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

"It is impossible to draw comparisons between last year and this year," he stated.

It has been difficult since the start of the year. Customers themselves are grumbling about the price increases. Sallah doesn't feel like it. The government must intervene to help individuals afford necessities because the economy is struggling.