By Praise Chinecherem
Immediate past Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), South East Zone, Alhaji Giddado Siddiki has called on his members to be upbeat in their quest for more appreciable terms of engagement with the governments of the geopolitical zone.
Siddiki made the call in a goodwill message to Muslim and Christian Brethren across South East Nigeria and beyond on the occasion of the 2024 Eid-el Fitr celebration.
He said the Southeast MACBAN is appreciative of known expressions of warm fellowship towards them, but solicits for expansion and sustenance of such expressions for a more flourishing business environment for its people in the South East.
He said, “I thank Allah for sustaining us and for giving us the aptitude and resilience to forge ahead unbroken by the many tugs that threatened to undermine our legitimate business interests in the past.
“I pray that the newness that Eid-el-Fitr brings enthrones deeper understanding and a greater sense of communalism amongst Nigerians of different trades and tribes.
“We express our gratitude to the patrons, board of trustee members, and the entire hierarchy of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria for their consistent advocacy for peaceful coexistence as the only panacea for sustainable progress in Nigeria.
“We also thank the entire leadership of the Southeast states for insisting on the efficacy of the Igbo dictum of ‘Nwanne di na mba’ which encourages unconditional hospitality amongst Nigerians wherever the search for livelihood takes them.”
The MACBAN chieftain continued; “As I joyfully join the Muslim Ummah across the globe in thanking Almighty Allah for seeing us through Ramadan and for his mercies and guidance, I humbly enjoin my Muslim and Christian brethren in South East Nigeria and everywhere to embrace the cardinal lessons of the Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr by submitting to the will and dictates of Allah for peace amongst the peoples of the world.
“Evidently, the mounting challenges caused by the prevailing harsh socioeconomic realities and the anxiety upon our fledgling political experiences are capable of stretching our elasticity for survival to its limit; but in all of these, Allah’s wish that we will triumph is supreme and should be jealously upheld by everyone.
“The singular hope that we will outlive the trials of the moment and successfully march into prosperity should inform our sturdy endurance.”
Siddiki noted that this year’s Ramadan affords Muslims another opportunity to intimately appraise the totality of their being, both the material and the spiritual.
“While we can hardly just wish away the hardship visited on us by the actions and inactions of the authorities that superintended our means of livelihood these past months, Muslims should endeavor to keep the faith and continue to push for a better nation,” he added.
