President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerians to embrace sacrifice, unity, and prayers for national renewal as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid al-Adha, popularly known as Eid-el-Kabir.
In a goodwill message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio extended greetings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world.
The Senate President described the Islamic festival as a solemn reminder of the virtues of faith, obedience, devotion, and selflessness demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.
According to him, the lessons associated with Eid-el-Kabir remain highly relevant to Nigeria’s current realities and should inspire citizens to work collectively toward peace, national unity, and sustainable progress.
“This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah,” Akpabio stated.
He stressed that the values of compassion, sacrifice, tolerance, and generosity embodied by the celebration are essential for strengthening social harmony and national cohesion.
Akpabio also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to extend kindness to the less privileged and show love to people irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.
“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria,” he said.
The Senate President further called on citizens to pray for peace, security, and prosperity across the country, while remembering security personnel battling insecurity in different parts of Nigeria.
He specifically urged prayers for troops on the frontlines as well as farmers affected by insecurity, expressing hope that peace would return fully to farming communities and vulnerable regions.
“Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our nation,” he added.
Akpabio noted that Nigeria, like Prophet Ibrahim, is passing through a period of testing and sacrifice, stressing that the decisions citizens make today would shape the future inherited by the next generation.
“The sacrifices we make today in patience, tolerance, and choosing hope over despair, will determine the Nigeria our children inherit,” the Senate President stated.
He also linked the message of sacrifice to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying meaningful national progress requires collective commitment and shared responsibility from both leaders and citizens.
Akpabio concluded by praying for Allah to accept the sacrifices and prayers of the faithful and to bless Nigeria with enduring peace, stability, and prosperity.
