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Eid-el-Fitr: Despite security concerns, Kwarans troop out to celebrate

…lament hunger, unemployment

By Our Reporter
Muslims in their thousands on Thursday defiled security warning by operatives to massively turn out for the celebration of this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr which mark the end of the Ramadan fast.
The event which was held under a peaceful atmosphere across the state saw worshippers arrive the Ilorin central Eid ground as early as 6;30 am.
The state police command had issued a warning alert two days to the event of the plot of those it identified as ‘subversive elements’ to cause mayhem, using the Ilorin Central Eid prayer ground.
Security agencies which include the Police, Civil Defence, KWARTMA and the Road Safety among other mounted strategic places across the metropolis to control traffic.
The operatives were also on ground at the venue to provide adequate security.
But some of the roads that led to the Eid prayer ground witnessed vehicular traffic resulting in some of the worshipers trekking long distances to catch up with the two unit supererogatory prayer that is associated with the ceremony which started at exactly 10:18am.
Chief Imam of Ilorin, Shiekh Muhammad Bashir who led thousands of other Muslim faithful in prayer urges the citizens to intensify prayers for leaders, state and the country in general to overcome all the challenges bedeviling it.
The Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq arrived at the venue around 8:47am before he was later joined by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari 7around 10am.
Abdulrazaq later called for tolerance, mutual love and understanding among Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence and development at the Government House.
“Nigeria is our fatherland. It is the only country we can call our own. On this day and always, I join patriots to rally our people behind the singular agenda of mutual love, peace, unity and harmony”, he added.
Also, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu called on Muslims to support both the state and federal Governments with prayers.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sheu Abdulkadir, the Speaker harped on the “need to carry on with the lessons of sacrifice, self-discipline, tolerance, kindness, good neighbourliness and empathy towards others as embedded in the holy month of Ramadan so that we can move forward as a nation adding that “we should continue to remember Kwara and Nigeria in prayers especially our leaders for Allah to grant them more success and breakthrough in our security and economy among others.
Meanwhile, residents have lamented the biting hunger and unemployment in the land which has fueled insecurity.
Thompson Michael, a bread hawker along Irewolede told this medium “The issue has gone beyond control as most of our youth today lacks conducive environment to strive. If our leaders can provide that, there is hope. But without that, the situation will get worse until it gets to a point of no return which will be very dangerous for everybody.
For Yakub Agodi, “What we need most is increased prayer now that it has gotten to this point. We always think that our problem can only be solved by the government and that is why when Buhari was coming in 2015, we were very hopeful that things will change in the areas of security, unemployment and corruption but it is now worse. It appears they are already overwhelmed. We must be extremely patient and prayerful
On her part, Hajia Fatimatu Saliu said “Nigeria is not the only country that is going through a difficult phase with extreme hunger. Buhari should be more proactive and monitor things more now. The youth has no reason to just lie and die, they should arise and change the narrative, start from somewhere and gradually they will get to the top. But I will plead with them to stop being angry over the situation”.

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