President Muhammadu Buhari, has on Saturday, in his official sallah message to Nigerians, assured that the Covid-19 lockdown measures would not go on longer than necessary.
President Buhari stated that the coronavirus pandemic caught the world off guard, and has dampened what would otherwise have been a time of celebration for the Muslims in Nigeria and around the world, who are marking the end of the Ramadan fasting period.
His words: “This year’s fasting period was particularly challenging for Muslims, because they had to forgo many important aspects of their daily worship, including the routine congregations for prayers, and the recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, as well as travelling for the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the sacrifices of both Muslims and Christians, for their cooperation in the enforcement of the social distancing guidelines. I am well aware of the inconveniences these tough measures have brought on the lives of Nigerians, including limiting religious activities and gatherings in large numbers”, the President noted, adding that, “no government would intentionally impose these tough and demanding measures on its citizens, if it had a choice”.
President Buhari speaking further, noted that “this year’s Eid event is an occasion for sober reflection, rather than celebration”.
He also appealed to other Nigerians, “whose businesses and means of livelihoods were badly affected by the prolonged lockdown measures, for their understanding and cooperation”.
He assured them that the lockdown measures would not go on longer than necessary, because they would be reviewed from time to time, to ease the increasing hardships on the people.
The President however, urged those who have the means, to continue helping their neighbours, and the less well-to-do, “so that we can all come out of this pandemic stronger and more united”.
He concluded by praying to Allah to ease the hardship among the people, as the country struggles to flatten the curve, while wishing all Nigerians “Eid Mubarak”.