As Muslims in the country join the rest of the world yesterday to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW), Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), called on Muslims to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, restraint and perseverance as demonstrated by the life and times of the Holy Prophet.

In his goodwill message, Governor Fashola noted that the occasion being the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) through whom the Almighty Allah bestowed the Islamic religion, a religion of peace, on the world should serve to once again remind all of the need for peaceful co-existence.

According to the Governor, Nigerians must constantly embrace optimism and faith in the Almighty Allah while also renewing belief in their country.

“While commemorating this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and beseech the Almighty Allah to restore to us those values that hold dear the sacredness of the human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we express our faith in the unity of our dear country and resolve to engage in the hard work that would lead to her taking her proper place in the comity of nations”, the Governor said.

Governor Fashola reiterated his gratitude to the various communities in Lagos for their continued peaceful mutual co-existence, tolerance, and support for their government while urging the Muslim Ummah to use the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s birth to reflect on the essential lessons of his life and to pray for the continued wellbeing of the State and the country in general.