A former President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajia Fatima Ajibola Kareem-Adigun, has felicitated with Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the globe as they make this year’s Eid-al-Fitr.
Hajia Kareem-Adigun, who is also a former vice president, Gender Council, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), stated this in a Sallah Message to the Muslim World and SOS to President Bola Tinubu on the gruesome killing, at Uromi, Edo State.
The statement read, “This is to rejoice with the Muslim Ummah worldwide, and in Nigeria, most especially over the completion of Ramadan fast, and the observance of Eid al-Fitri to mark the holy month; as instructed by Allah SWT.
“Having fulfilled the yearly Ramadan fasting this 2025, as one of the five pillars of Islam; lessons learnt such as total faith and deep-seated conviction in absoluteness of Allah, piety, charity, empathy, kindness; unity of the Muslim Ummah and the entire human race should not be lost on us.
“Similarly, I celebrate the womenfolk on Mother’s Day, which coincides with Eid al-Fitri. It’s such a pleasant coincidence that the two occasions overlap this year, and everyone around the world has at least something to celebrate.
“As a mother and grandmother, myself, I know firsthand the joys, the challenges, and the sacrifices that come with the incredible journey of motherhood. To all mothers and would-be mothers; you are the heartbeat of our families, our communities, and our society. Your love, your care, and your sacrifices make a difference in the lives of those around you.”
Meanwhile, on a sad note; she noted that, “The gruesome killing, at Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria; of Hausa hunters returning to the North for Eid al-Fitri celebration on mistaken suspicion as bandits, by people reported to be members of a vigilante group is deeply regretted. “However, while the incident is highly abhorrent and condemnable, one can not but just take heart and accept it as irreversible fate, as Muslims believe that nothing happens outside the sight of Allah.
“Nevertheless, I strongly demand justice for the killings to serve as a deterrent to others who are still barbaric in this 21st century and are fond of jungle justice and wanton killing of fellow humans. Even if the hunters were suspicious, the men of the vigilante who reportedly apprehended them should have handed them over to appropriate law enforcement agencies rather than take law into their own hands.
“I hereby call on President Tinubu as the Grand Commander of Federal Republic (GCFR) to do everything within his capacity, to sow seeds of compassion, friendliness, mutual trust and unity among the ordinary Nigerians who have been terribly manipulated and constantly being misguided by ethnic bigots, religious extremists and opprobrious politicians; all of whom are rather self-serving.
“Finally, I pray for the repose of the souls of the Uromi victims while asking God to grant the families they left behind the fortitude to bear the losses. And for the Muslims, may Allah SWT accept our Ibadah during and after Ramadan and may we witness more of the blessed month in health, wealth, grace, peace, joy, happiness, and abundant blessings. And may we increase in faith and piety. Ameen.”
