* President preaches giving, patriotism at Eid prayers

* Cleric decries rising ethnic division, urges Nigerians to embrace unity

President Bola Tinubu on Friday said the message of Eid-al-Adha must go beyond religious observance and translate into genuine sacrifice and commitment to the Nigerian project.

Addressing journalists after participating in the annual Eid prayers at the Dodan Barracks Eid Ground in Ikoyi, Lagos, Tinubu urged Nigerians to look inward and make deliberate sacrifices for the good of the country, particularly in these trying times.

“Sacrifice is the spirit of this season, and it must reflect in how we relate with one another and how we treat the nation,” Tinubu said.

“This is a time for compassion, to give to the vulnerable, to show love to our neighbours, and to unite for a common cause. It’s also a time to renew our prayers for our troops who are making enormous sacrifices on our behalf.”

The President stressed that national healing and development cannot happen without collective commitment from citizens.

“Security operatives are laying down their lives in the fight against terrorism and banditry. The least we can do is to support them with our prayers and actions. Nigeria needs all of us now, not just in words but in character,” he added.

Tinubu was accompanied to the prayer ground by a host of high-ranking officials including Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle; and Lagos Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat.

Also present were former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; BUA Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu; Oando CEO, Wale Tinubu; and Professor Shaffideen Amuw, a long-time associate of the President.

In his sermon, Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Suleiman Oluwatoyin Abu-Nola, underscored the urgency of selflessness and patriotism, reminding Nigerians that the symbolic act of sacrifice in Islam should inspire moral and civic responsibility.

“Eid-al-Adha teaches us that service to God requires giving up personal comfort for a higher good,” he said. “We must extend this spirit to our dealings with fellow Nigerians in business, politics and daily life.”

He warned that ethnic rivalries and selfish politics were slowing Nigeria’s progress.

“We must drop the labels, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and begin to see ourselves first as Nigerians. The country is greater than any tribe,” the cleric declared.