Date: 2016-07-06

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslim faithful in the country to sustain the values and virtues which the holy month of Ramadan taught them in their day-to-day relationship with God and fellow human beings.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, in commemoration of this year's Eid-el-Fitri also urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful in the face of daunting socio-economic challenges.

He said that the present challenges are surmountable "if we all realign our character and deeds in tune with the wishes of Allah". He stated that the country can only regain its lost glory when the citizenry uphold the virtues of good neighborliness and eschew intolerance of other people's opinion, corruption, abuse of power, disregard for due process and disobedience to the laws of the land.

Saraki said: "I urge all Nigerians, across religious divide, to remain steadfast, prayerful and patriotic . The virtues of moderation, piety, regular supplication to Allah and being our brother's keeper should subsist beyond the Ramadan. Beyond this, every Nigerian should seek to contribute to rebuilding the nation with renewed vigour.

"I also urge Boko Haram insurgents and other agents of destabilization across the country to retrace their steps and give peace a chance in the spirit of the Eid-el-fitri. Again, Nigerians who nurse one grudge or the other against the state should seek for legitimate and peaceful means of expressing their grievances so that it will be possible for their position to be better understood and addressed through constructive dialogue.

"Similarly, let us all refrain from using violence to express our stand on issues. Violence only destroy, it does not build. Let us also shun greed and other vices capable of undermining the socio-political growth of our dear nation," he said.