Daily Trust (Abuja)NEWS 29 September 2008
The Federal Government will be repositioned in the coming days to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery for rapid developments in critical aspects of the economy, President Umaru Musa Yar'adua said in Abuja yesterday.
In his Eid-El-Fitr message to the nation, Yar'adua said steps had already been taken to restructure the machinery of government to achieve greater results in the implementation of the seven point agenda. He reaffirmed his personal commitment to giving the desired leadership to overcome the many challenges of building a virile nation and attaining the collective aspirations of Nigerians. The President also urged citizens to use the festive period to reflect on how to contribute meaningfully towards making Nigeria great.
"With Almighty Allah guiding us, we are already taking steps to restructure and strengthen the machinery of government so as to achieve greater results in the implementation of our seven-point agenda," he said.
"This process of revitalizing and repositioning our Administration for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery will be carried forward in the coming days to ensure that more positive developments occur rapidly in critical sectors of our national life," the President said.
The President's Sallah message also stated: "I greet and rejoice with you all on the happy occasion of this year's Eid-El-Fitr celebrations. I especially congratulate all adherents of the Islamic faith in our midst who have successfully completed the Ramadan Fast. As this year's Eid-El-Fitr celebrations fortuitously precede the 48th anniversary of our coming into being as an independent, self-governing nation, let us all seize the opportunity of the joint holidays to reflect on our spiritual life as individuals and how we can contribute more meaningfully towards making Nigeria the great nation envisioned by its founding fathers."
While wishing Muslims a happy and hitch-free celebration, the president prayed Almighty Allah to reward the pious observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan with even greater blessings for the nation.
In his own message last night, Senate President David Mark congratulated Muslims in the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr signifying the end of fasting and prayers in the Holy Month of Ramadan. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark canvassed for peace, unity and mutual cooperation among Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.
He enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of perseverance, tolerance and good neighborliness saying, "I hope that the successful completion of the fasting and praying by Muslims preceding the marking of Eid-el-fitr would usher in peace and progress in the country."
The Senate President urged Muslims to inculcate the virtue of sacrifice, humility and service to the people which Prophet Mohammed stood for. He emphasized the need for religious harmony between and among religious groups in Nigeria adding that "whichever religion any one professes, the bedrock of it remains peace, unity and mutual co-operation."
Mark also said the Senate under his leadership will continue to be people-oriented by making good laws that would facilitate the executive's service delivery to the ordinary man. He said improving the lot of the ordinary man remains the watchword of the present Senate, saying, "we are totally committed to the achieving the goals of the seven-point agenda of the present administration."
For his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole congratulated Muslims nation-wide on the Eid-El Fitr celebration and said their steadfastness and devotion during the Ramadan Fast was a reflection of their service to the Almighty Allah who will reward them abundantly for their efforts.
Bankole said "the long period of self restraint and self purification was a great spiritual exercise that has its heavenly blessings," adding that "it is only those who are genuinely convinced in their chosen faith that can successfully undergo the process."
The Speaker' statement, which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media Affairs Mr. Kayode Akin-made, enjoined all Muslims and Nigerians in general to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, love and good neighbo-urliness, amongst themselves as exemplified by the Prophet Mohammed (SAW). He said it is only by doing this that they will be living up to the expectations of God Almighty.
Bankole also said the Nigerian nation is currently passing through a major phase in its 48 years of nationhood, and urged all Muslims to remember the country in their prayers so that the efforts of the heroes past shall not be in vain.
Federal Capital Territory Minister Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, in his message, felicitated with residents of the Federal Capital Territory, particularly the Muslim ummah on the occasion of the celebration of eid-el-fitr.
The Minister prayed to Allah to accept all sacrifices and supplications made by Muslims during the month but implored them to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan.
Dr. Modibbo called on Muslims to bring to bear the spiritual cleansing during the holy month to the growth and development of the Federal Capital Territory, being the greatest asset of the nation.
He appealed to Muslims to use this very important occasion in the Islamic calendar to pray for Nigeria and its leadership to be able to attain an enviable position in the comity of nations, especially the seven-point agenda of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
The Minister called on religious leaders in the country to preach the gospel of unity, love and peace amongst their followers; insisting that it is diversity that is the strength of Nigeria.
Modibbo said all residents of the Federal Capital Territory are stakeholders in the Project Abuja and assured that the FCT Administration is more than ever determined to provide an enabling environment.
He said the FCT Administration will provide a safe and conducive environment for progressive collaboration through an effective and efficient service delivery system.
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