Bauchi, March 20, 2026 (NAN) The Chief Imam of Bauchi Central Mosque, Bala Baban-Inna, has urged Nigerians to embrace integrity, righteousness, and self-reliance as essential pathways toward national development and lasting personal tranquility across the country.
Baban-Inna, speaking after leading the two-rakat Eid-el-Fitr prayer on Friday in Bauchi, emphasized the importance of maintaining purity in both thought and action among citizens during the significant religious celebration period.
He urged citizens to shun fraudulent practices and live honest lives, warning that dishonesty eroded trust, damaged institutions, and ultimately hindered sustainable progress and collective prosperity nationwide over the long term.
The cleric said values such as compassion, charity, and fairness remained crucial for building a just, inclusive, and forward-looking society that supported dignity, opportunity, and shared national advancement for all citizens.
He encouraged Muslims to sustain the spiritual lessons of Ramadan by continuing good deeds, extending support to the less privileged, and strengthening community bonds beyond the fasting period in daily life.
He added that maintaining constant remembrance of Allah, known as Dhikr, remained a vital means of attaining spiritual purification, discipline, and a closer relationship with Allah in everyday life for believers.
He urged leaders at all levels to uphold integrity and accountability in governance, noting that corruption undermined national growth, weakened institutions, and eroded public trust in democratic processes across the country.
He advised citizens, especially the youth, to acquire vocational and practical skills to become self-reliant, rather than depending solely on scarce government jobs for their livelihoods and future security and stability.
According to him, self-employment remains key to reducing poverty, creating jobs, and boosting economic stability, particularly in communities where formal employment opportunities are limited or increasingly competitive for many people.
He further called for prayers for the nation, urging Nigerians to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and sustainable development, as Eid prayers in Bauchi recorded a peaceful, large turnout overall.(NAN)
