Lt.-Col. Husein Eleje, Chief Imam of 82 Division of Nigerian Army, has urged Nigerians to imbibe love as a prerequisite for all genuine sacrifices.

Mr Eleje said this on Wednesday in his homily at the special Eid-el-Kabir Prayer held at the Eid Prayer Ground at the Military Cantonment, Abakpa in Enugu.

He said there was a need for love and genuine sacrifice for peace and progress to reign in the country.

The military cleric said everyone must give love to  neighbours, to the community, entire society and even to animals within our vicinity.

“The love, which brings accommodation and tolerance, must be extended to everything Almighty Allah has created,” he said.

Mr Eleje, who is the Director of Islamic Affairs in the division, noted that “love is a very strong instrument to unite all humans, especially Nigerians as a nation”.

He said: “When love exists, there will not be quarrelling, fighting, hatred, and opposition between people or groups.

“Love remains a strong instrument to make any one to forget his or her difference with another.

“If we imbibe and live in love and understanding, Nigerians will not remember race, nation and tribe. We have the spirit to do things in common.”

The chief imam also said that genuine love leads to genuine sacrifice, where people prefer to see to the good and wellbeing of others before attending to their own needs or desires.

“It is only when you love someone or humanity; you can actually accommodate and tolerate people around you even when they offend you as well as attend to the interest of others and solve their challenges.” 

(NAN)