A former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has called on Nigerian leaders to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad. He highlighted the Prophet's values of justice, inclusivity, peaceful coexistence, and respect for all.
Makarfi made this statement in Kaduna on Tuesday. He sent a goodwill message to Muslims as they celebrate the 1448 Eid-el-Maulud, marking the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
The ex-governor congratulated the Muslim community and all Nigerians on this special occasion. He said the birth and mission of the Prophet was a major milestone in world history.
He believes the yearly celebration should be more than just festivities. It should be a time for Muslims and other Nigerians to reflect on the teachings and life of the Prophet.
"As we rejoice and thank Allah for the blessings of Prophet Muhammad's birth and mission, we must remember the message he gave us," Makarfi said.
He encouraged Muslims to use this time for "sober reflections and deep introspection" about how they live and follow Allah’s commandments as taught by the Prophet.
Makarfi noted that the Prophet's key teachings included submission to Allah, peaceful living, good neighborliness, universal brotherhood, humility, and selflessness.
He pointed out that the Prophet’s way of applying Islamic teachings, especially in his leadership, offers important lessons for leaders in diverse societies like Nigeria.
Makarfi urged political leaders to study the Prophet's inclusive and fair approach to governance. He said, "Prophet Muhammad’s practical application of Islamic teachings, shown through his inclusive leadership, is important for leaders in diverse societies like ours."
He gave the example of the Prophet’s leadership in Madina, which showed how people of different faiths and backgrounds could coexist peacefully.
"The way he united the Jews of Madina and the Muslims, along with everyone else, under his leadership is a great lesson in inclusivity, equity, and respect," he added.
Makarfi said the lessons from the Prophet’s leadership are especially relevant for Nigeria, with its many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
He urged Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and respect across all divides, saying this is important for the country's growth.
"We must learn from these positive traits as we work towards peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect for the development of our country," he stated.
The former governor also asked Muslims to pray for the country during this occasion, given its many problems.
He called on all Nigerians to pray for wisdom, righteousness, courage, and justice for the nation’s leaders so they can guide the country towards stability and progress.
"We should also take this time to pray earnestly for our country as we face numerous challenges as a people," Makarfi said.
He added that prayers should be offered for the nation’s leaders to be given wisdom, fairness, and a sense of justice to guide us towards stability and development.
Eid-el-Maulud is celebrated by Muslims to honor the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The day is filled with religious activities such as prayers, lectures, and discussions about his life and teachings.
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