By Abel JOHNGOLD ORHEUATA
The Worldwide President of University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Prof. Saawua Gabriel Nyityo has congratulated the CHANCELLOR of the University of Ibadan, UI, Chancellor Amirul Mumineen Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV, Sultan of Sokoto, Muslims on the conclusion of the Ramadan fast.
In an Eid-el-Fitr goodwill message to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period, the UIAA Worldwide President said: “Having had the period for reflection, re-commitment and prayer for our wellbeing as a people, it is my hope that beyond this period, we will continue to pray for the security, peace and prosperity of our nation”, while stressing the importance of putting the virtues of Islam into practice beyond the fasting season.
He noted that Ramadan was a period of prayer, thanksgiving, forgiveness, spiritual training and self-examination, and urged Muslims to avoid acts forbidden by Islam after Ramadan.
Urging Muslims to reflect on the importance of Ramadan in becoming good ambassadors of Islam at all times, Prof Nyityo asserted that ”I congratulate our Chancellor, the Sultan of Sokoto, all the Muslim faithful of the Alumni, UIAA and Nigeria as a whole on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan.
”We must focus on ensuring the progress of Nigeria and her budding democracy by ensuring that only those who have our collective interests are given the privilege of leadership. We are lucky, privilege and proud to have a leader like the Sultan of Sokoto as our Chancellor”
He hinted that religion should be the moral compass for all believers in their public and personal lives, adding that “if people allow the teachings of their religions to influence their conducts, problems such as corruption, which diverts public funds to private pockets, would have been eliminated in the society.
”Ramadan is an opportunity to collectively pray for the prosperity and development of ourselves, families, our alumni, the University of Ibadan and the country at large. We thank the Almighty that we are alive to see the end of Holy Ramadan – a serious spiritual exercise to strengthen our Islamic faith.
”We need to be steadfast to the teaching of Islam beyond Ramadan period by shunning sinful behaviour; that is the way to attract Allah’s blessings of prosperity and development in all aspects of our lives and in our country,”.
While saying that the spirit of the Ramadan creates a bond of empathy between the haves and have-nots, explaining that compassion is an important ingredient of our common humanity, Prof Nyityo urged UItes, Nigerians to respect and tolerate one another irrespective of religion, culture and tribe to promote peace. As he called on Muslims to show greater commitment to peace, unity and tolerance in order to create harmony and understanding in the country.
While urging leaders to use power fairly and justly, the UIAA Worldwide President, also stressed that it is only when Nigerians live to cherish one another that “we can make rapid progress and strengthen the bond that brought us together as a prosperous nation, in keeping with the dreams and aspirations of our founding fathers.”