The Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Sunday united Nigerians on some major streets on Lagos Island, irrespective of their ethical, religious and political leanings.

Residents of  the streets ate, played and danced together to commemorate the Muslim festival as families mounted beautiful canopies, set tables of assorted foods and drinks, and entertained guests.

The imposing canopies covered the length and breath of streets such as Glover, Bamgbose, Joseph and Campos.

Hired local musicians entertained hosts and guests with  tunes that got many dancing and gifting money to  the singers and  drummers in appreciation.

The annual celebration attracted some ‘Lagos Islanders’ residing abroad.

The feast began after the symbolic slaughter of rams on prayer grounds.

A cleric, Agunbiade Lasisi, said at the event that the feast signified sacrifice, obeisance to God and unity of purpose.

Mr Lasisi, who moved from house to house to offer prayers before rambling, said that Lagos Island residents always looked forward to the festival to express love and togetherness.

A youth leader, Demeji Ojukutu, said: “Islanders are lovers of celebration.

“We welcome all and sundry into our fold with open arms, as you can see here.

“If you are not told, you cannot differentiate the natives from visitors, as many of the guests wear the same attire as the hosts.

“Foods, drinks and gift items are given to people freely. We are happy to see people come  and celebrate with us. That is the beauty of the day.”

Etop Bassey, an Ibadan-based printer, said that he was a guest of his friend and business partner, Taofeek Olagoke.

Mr Bassey said that the event enabled him to make  more friends.

Emeka Nnaji and his wife, Beta, guests of Tunde Akainni, said that the event had no social boundary.

“Mr Akainni and I have been together for a year; so, he can’t be doing such a big feast without my respecting him with my presence,” he said.

Earlier at the Ojo Army Cantonment Prayer Ground, Imam Ibrahim Ishaq, in his sermon, preached love, peace and prayer for  Nigeria’s leaders.

Mr Ishaq, a lieutenant in the army, said Eid-el-Kabir signified the divine exchange of a human sacrifice for a ram.

According to him, it entails obedience, sacrifice and trust in God.

“The ram meat is to be divided into three by faithful:  one for the household, one for  neighbours and one to be shared with the needy as an act of love,” he said.

Muslims worldwide celebrated the 2024 Eid-el Kabir on Sunday. 

(NAN)