Etsu Nupe Urges Muslims to Draw Closer to God
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has called on Muslims across the country to move closer to God. He made this statement in Bida on Thursday during the closing of the 2025 (1446 AH) Ramadan Tafsir at the Usman Zaki Central Mosque.
The Etsu Nupe emphasized that the solutions to Nigeria’s challenges can be found through fervent prayers. He stated that there is nothing that cannot be resolved through sincere prayers and utmost piety. Abubakar noted that the Ramadan period is a time when the Almighty Allah accepts all prayers and provides divine solutions to the myriad problems facing the nation.
He stressed that it is only through fearing Allah that Muslims can meet their needs and enjoy their blessings on earth. The Etsu Nupe also encouraged Muslims to sustain the noble lessons learned during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“We should always remember and value God in whatever we do at all times. Sustaining this connection with God is essential for solving Nigeria’s formidable challenges,” he remarked.
Abubakar urged the Muslim community in the country to continue practicing the virtues learned during Ramadan even after the month has ended. “We must maintain the God-fearing acts we exhibited during the fasting period. Muslims should strive to uphold the good deeds they practiced during Ramadan and avoid the wrongful actions they abstained from during this holy time,” he added.
These noble virtues include patience, piety, philanthropy, and love for one another, as well as abstaining from adultery, cheating, stealing, alcoholism, and drug abuse. “Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink; it also serves as a time to emulate the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he said.
He called on affluent Muslims to support the less privileged with food and other basic necessities. The traditional ruler urged the faithful to use the remaining days of Ramadan to pray fervently for national peace and progress.
Furthermore, the Etsu Nupe encouraged Muslims to foster tolerance and unity within the community, emphasizing that the two major religions in the country preach peace, unity, and love for one another. “We must always strive to uphold these values,” he said, highlighting that without peace and unity, socio-economic development will remain elusive.
Abubakar also called on leaders at all levels to govern the people with the fear of God, reminding the ummah that they will all be accountable for their deeds on the Day of Reckoning.
In addition, the Chief Imam of Bida, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, urged Muslims to cultivate a fear of God and to refrain from accumulating unnecessary wealth, reminding them that everyone will be held accountable for how they acquire every kobo before Almighty Allah on the Day of Resurrection. (NAN)
