As the Ramadan period comes to a close, Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and peace, stability and progress in Nigeria.

Specifically, the Vice President sought prayers for God to continue to give the President wisdom and strength to pilot the affairs of the country towards peace, unity and prosperity.

VP Shettima who made call on Friday during the closing ceremony of Tafsir (reading of the Quran) for the month of Ramadan in the State House Mosque at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that prayer remains the fortress of the believer, the sanctuary where hopes are nurtured and destinies are shaped.

“It is our greatest weapon against despair and the most powerful armour for those entrusted with leadership. In this spirit, I urge us all to continue praying for our beloved nation and the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“May Almighty Allah grant him the wisdom, strength, and resolve to continue steering the ship of our great nation towards peace, unity, and prosperity. May He protect him from harm, fortify his heart with courage, and guide his every effort in service to the Nigerian people,” he said.

The VP reminded the gathering that governance is a collective responsibility of all, and not the burden of the government alone, maintaining that “our religious leaders, whose voices echo the moral conscience of our society, play an indispensable role in shaping our values and guiding our hearts.

“Their service reminds us of the ideals that must define us: integrity, justice, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of others. To them, we owe our deepest gratitude.”

VP Shettima enjoined Muslim faithfuls to always embody the values of Ramadan, including sacrifice, discipline and love in their daily lives, maintaining that as they prepare to bid farewell to the holy month, they must not forget the essence of the holy month.

He continued: “The days of devotion, self-restraint, and reflection must not be confined to Ramadan alone; rather, they must illuminate the path we walk every day. Fasting has not only taught us sacrifice and discipline; it has also awakened in us a profound sense of empathy. It has reminded us of the struggles of the less privileged, the hunger of the destitute, and the responsibilities we bear toward those in need.

“But as Ramadan draws to a close, we must ask ourselves: What have we truly gained if we revert to old habits of neglect, indifference, and discord? The true test of faith is not how we worship during Ramadan, but how we embody its values after it.

“Let us, therefore, carry the spirit of this sacred month into our daily lives. Let us extend kindness where there is cruelty, offer generosity where there is want and radiate love where there is division. Let us be ambassadors of Islam not only in public but also in our most private moments, embodying the goodness that defines our faith.”

The Vice President prayed to Almighty Allah to deepen the citizens’ sense of duty to the nation and to one another, saying “May He make Nigeria a land of peace, unity, and enduring prosperity. May He grant us the fortitude to serve with sincerity and the wisdom to lead with compassion.”

Senator Shettima thanked the leadership of this State House Mosque for working tirelessly to make this year’s Tafsir and Iftar a reality, just as he expressed what he described as President Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to the Mosque team for a job well done.

“May Allah’s infinite mercy and blessings descend upon us all. May He accept our fasts, strengthen our faith, and grant us the reward of the righteous. May He bless our beloved nation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and guide us toward a future of peace, justice, and boundless progress,” he prayed.

In his closing prayers, the Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwahid Sulaiman Abubakar, offered prayers for the administration of President Tinubu, asking Almighty Allah to give the President the wisdom, courage and political will to steer the country towards the path of prosperity, abundance, unity and peaceful co-existence.