Plateau Gov, Lalong’s Address at Sallah Homage for Eid-el-kabir Festival by State Muslim Ummah

Plateau State Governor Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong received the Muslim
Ummah in Plateau State led by Emir of Wase, Alh. Sambo Haruna. today the
5th of September 2017. After a successful celebration of the
Eid-el-kabir Festival. It was customary as they Payed a Sallah Homage to
the Governor of the state.

ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF
PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG ON THE OCCASION OF THE PAYING OF
TRADITIONAL EID – EL KABIR HOMAGE OF THE MOSLEM UMMAH IN PLATEAU STATE ON THE
GOVERNOR, AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE RAYFIELD ON TUESDAY, 5^TH SEPTEMBER,
2017

PROTOCOL AND TRADITIONAL SALLAH
GREETINGS

It
is my pleasure to receive the Leadership and Representatives of the Moslem
Ummah on the Plateau, on this occasion of the Traditional Paying of Sallah
Homage to the Government of Plateau State.

I
am delighted that this is another visit that is an open exhibition of the
Peaceful co-existence and inter-religious harmony we are enjoying in the State.
Sharing in the joy and love of the celebration of this year’s Eid- El Kabir
with the Moslem Ummah underscores our common humanity, and shows that our
various convictions of faith pre disposes itself to good neighbourliness and
brotherhood.

I
commend the entire Moslem Ummah on the Plateau for a peaceful and spiritually
rewarding celebration; this has not only shown that we are true people of faith,
but has also gone further to prove that we are law abiding citizens, committed
to having harmonious and peaceful environment.

Let
me also use this opportunity to extend the felicitations of the Government and
good people of Plateaus State, to the Leadership of the Nigerian Supreme
Council of Islamic Affairs, under His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar
IIICFR, the Leadership
of the various Councils of Ulammah in the country, the Jammatul Nasril Islam and
indeed all Moslems in the Country, on the successful completion of the Eid El
Kabir celebration.

Eid-El
Kabir celebration as conveyed in my Sallah Message to Plateau, is a celebration
that acknowledges the place of God’s mercy, and provision for the sacrificial
obedience of the Moslem faithful in worship of Allah (SWT). Prophet Ibrahim
demonstrated this, in his willingness to sacrifice his son, as an act of
obedience and true worship to God. The reward for his obedience is the
provision of a ram for sacrifice, and the multiple blessings and prosperity
that followed his life on earth.

I
encourage you therefore, to always be compelled by your conviction of faith to live
a life of obedience and true worship to Allah (SWT). You can be sure of the blessings
of God in all your personal endeavours, and in the corporate blessing of our
State and Country at large.

I
will not fail to mention that as a Nation we are going through some very hard
and trying moments. These challenges which have been occasioned by our trying
economic experiences are redeemable, and with the purpose driven governance
approach of Mr. President and the APC led Government, we are making headway and
we would soon be getting out of the woods. We must continue to support the War
Against Corruption even as we make efforts to recover all that have been looted
by those who plundered our commonwealth. We must also as people of faith,
committed to a peaceful and progressive Nigeria, continue to stand up in open
condemnation of all forms of hate and divisive speeches that have the
treasonable potential to destabilize our Nation and set a united people against
each other.

Christians
and Moslems alike have the spiritual and patriotic duty of doing all that is
necessary to preserve the unity of our Nation, and to promote the enthronement
of all virtues, ideals and National ethos that will showcase Nigeria to the
world as a multi-ethnic and religious Nation, whose diversity and pluralism,
remain her cherished heritage and strength.

As
a Government, we remain committed to social justice and the provision of good
Governance, through inclusive participation and a decentralized development
that reaches all and sundry in the Plateau of our dream. We have not relented
in speaking to the issues of concern, through acts and conducts that have
proven we are on course in fulfilling our promises within the realistic limit
of available resources. Through the spread of Political Appointments, the
provision of physical infrastructures to all communities and our consultative
style of governance, we have shown that the APC Rescue Administration in the
State is people oriented.

We
will continue to ensure that communities that have been deliberately neglected
over the years are given a sense of belonging; and you are living witnesses of
the interventions we have undertaken, in predominant Moslem settlements within the
Metropolis and other neighbourhoods within the greater Jos Metropolis, which
have been neglected in the past for ethnic and political reasons.

Let
me further assure the Leadership of the Moslem Communities in Plateau and the
Council of Ulammah, that the challenge of funds on the side of the State
Government and the Local Government Councils in the Northern Senatorial
District are being addressed so we clear up the issue of the Burial Ground,
Eid-praying ground and the rehabilitation of on-going Metropolitan Roads. We
have demonstrated enough commitment through the purchase of the sites and the
mobilization of funds for the provision of access roads and the continuation of
work on ongoing road and bridge projects. Just be patient a little more and you
will see the completion of all the projects we have initiated.

I
must also add that though not sufficient, our provision of Minimum Support to the
Ummah for the celebration of the Eid-El Kabir, and the sponsorship of Pilgrims,
including those denied the opportunity after their payment in the last
Administration, is a progressive step that has demonstrated our willingness to
make life better for our citizens when opportunity presents itself.

We
know the expectations are high and that our efforts might seem a far cry; but let
me use this medium to continue to plead with you, to show understanding with
Government on the current financial hiccups being experienced. Our Traditional
Sallah gifts, pilgrimage sponsorship and other forms of support for religious
activities, will be improved upon as our situation improves.

Meanwhile,
let me encourage all citizens to take advantage of all the Social Investment
and Enterprise Development Programmes put in place by Government, for the
purpose of enhancing the socio-economic well being of our citizens. The Plateau
State Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency and the office of the
Social Investment Programme, are there to be accessed for vital information and
documentation of our women and youth for economic support.

As
I conclude, let me again thank you for your show of support and solidarity with
this visit; I urge you to remain committed to being a part of the Plateau
Project, by preaching peace and employing the platform of progressive dialogue
in addressing all issues of interest.

Finally,
I must thank you again for your prayers for the recovery of Mr. President,
Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and for the progress of our Country; let us not relent in
praying for the President, so that under his leadership, we can overcome all
our security and economic challenges.

I
thank you for this Traditional Eid-El Kabir Sallah Homage and I pray for God’s blessings
for all your devotions.

Happy
Eid – El Kabir and God bless Plateau State.

Rt.
Hon. Simon Bako Lalong

Executive
Governor