Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state Sunday urged Muslims in the state to intensify prayers for the unity and peace of the country as they celebrate this year’s Eid elKabir.
The governor in a Sallah message signed by his chief press secretary, Terver Akase, said there was no alternative to peace “as it is only in an atmosphere devoid of violence that meaningful development can take place.”
He noted that it was the duty of religious organisations to always call on God to intervene in the affairs of the country especially in perilous times.
The governor described as “unfortunate,” the situation where security operatives “have also become victims of attacks,” saying the development called for worry and deserved to be urgently addressed.
He advised Muslims to be tolerant and to live harmoniously with people of other faiths while committing themselves to the Holy Prophet’s injunctions of piety, honesty and charity.
The governor also charged Benue people in general to commit themselves to the sustenance of democracy as the best form of government, irrespective of its shortcomings.
Ortom also wished the Muslim faithful across the state joyful Eid el-Kabir celebrations.
