Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan.
Saraki called on them to reaffirm their dedication to serving humanity, increase their capacity for compassion, and fortify their sense of responsibility.
In a Ramadan statement provided on Wednesday by Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, his press officer on local matters, Saraki characterized the holy month as a time for introspection, self-control, and a renewed commitment to moral principles.
“Those who are most beneficial to people are Allah’s most beloved,” he remarked, quoting the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Saraki argues that the purpose of fasting is more than just avoiding food and liquids, emphasizing that the holy month requires conscious attempts to improve the lives of others and fortify social ties.
“Beyond abstaining from food and drink, this is a time to look out for one another a little more deliberately, to be patient in our words, fair in our dealings, and dependable in every responsibility entrusted to us,” he stated.
Even small gestures often carry deep meaning for those in need,” the former governor of Kwara State continued, adding that the true spirit of Ramadan is expressed in ordinary acts of generosity.
Saraki has also started distributing food supplies throughout Kwara State as part of his yearly Ramadan ritual in order to assist Muslim faithful, religious and traditional leaders, party members, women’s and youth groups, professional associations, and impoverished and less fortunate families.
As the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Saraki also offered prayers for the nation, pleading with Allah to grant the faithful’s fasting and supplications and to provide aid to those in need.
“May Allah accept our fasting and prayers, ease the difficulties many families are facing, comfort those in mourning, grant healing to the sick, and guide our leaders to act with wisdom and integrity,” he prayed.
The United States of America branch of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union began its 2026 annual Ramadan distribution of food items and cash support to Muslims across the Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State on Tuesday.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, and charity.
He also expressed hope that the holy month would bring peace, unity, and spiritual renewal for Nigerians and Muslims worldwide.
Issa Abdulrauf, the National Vice President of IEDPU, spoke at the ceremony in Ilorin and praised the USA branch for continuing what he called a humanitarian program aimed at helping Muslim families during the holy month of Ramadan.
He noted that beneficiaries were drawn from the five local government areas that make up the Ilorin Emirate: Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Moro, and Asa.
“Today we are flagging off the annual distribution of Ramadan food items and cash to the Muslim Ummah; these food items and financial assistance would help cushion the economic hardship faced by many families during the fasting period,” he said.
According to him, the program is an important intervention that has improved lives all around the emirate over the years.
The vice president of the IEDPU urged well-meaning people, businesses, and other organizations to follow suit by providing comparable assistance to Muslims who are in need during Ramadan.
Additionally, he praised the volunteers who helped with the distribution, calling their work selfless and deserving of praise, and he hoped that Allah would richly reward them.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdulrauf again thanked the donors for their kindness and dedication to community development.
Alaro Suleiman, Ajao Muhammad, and Anafi Alabere all praised the initiative in their individual goodwill notes and encouraged other Muslims to emulate the generosity and compassion exhibited by the IEDPU USA branch.
They prayed for the donors to continue receiving blessings and benefits.
IEDPU’s larger initiatives to advance social welfare and community support in the Ilorin Emirate include the yearly Ramadan intervention.
Remember how the Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III announced Wednesday as the opening day of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Tuesday?
On Tuesday, the 29th day of Sha’aban, the Sultan said that the crescent moon had been seen in several parts of the nation.
The moon sighting, he added, validates that Wednesday, February 18.
For Muslims throughout Nigeria, Ramadan 1447 AH officially begins at this time.
