President Bola Tinubu has called for more prayers for the military and security agencies currently making sacrifices to keep the nation safe, particularly those confronting terrorists and bandits.

The president, who observed the Eid al-Adha prayers at the prayer ground in Dodan Barracks, Lagos, told reporters that the security agencies and vulnerable citizens should be at the top of the prayer list, according to Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, in a statement.

“We should remember to pray and give to those who are very vulnerable in the spirit of the season, which is sacrifice. We must unite, remain our brothers’ keeper, and give to our neighbours. We should show love to everyone.

“We must also pray hard for our troops to keep us safe. They are making sacrifices in the challenges that we face from terrorism and banditry today. We must pray for them specifically, remember their sacrifices, and continue to behave well as citizens,” he added.

At the prayer ground, the chief imam of Lagos, Suleiman Oluwatoyin Abu-Nola, urged the Muslim faithful to remember and reflect on Abraham’s sacrificial life.

“The whole essence of today is sacrifice. We must learn to make sacrifices for our family, nation, and community. We must render our service to Allah, not men,” he said.

The chief imam called on worshippers to live in peace and consider the needs of their neighbours, the poor and vulnerable.

“If we are to see the Nigeria of our dreams, we must be ready to make sacrifices. We must unite as Nigerians to make progress.

“We must rise above tribal sentiments. Whether you are Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa, we must live above ethnic sentiments,” the chief imam said.

Along with Mr Tinubu, defence minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, blue economy minister Adegboyega Oyetola, junior defence minister Bello Matawalle, Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, and former Governor Babatunde Fashola were at the prayer ground.

His entourage included Nuhu Ribadu, the Lagos speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; the chairman of the BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the group chief executive of Oando, Wale Tinubu; and Mr Tinubu’s friend and long-time ally, Shaffideen Amuwo.

(NAN)