President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he will not rest until he brings relief to them adding that he is quite aware of the difficulties people are facing and working to resolve them.

The President said this in his Eid-El Kabir message to Nigerian Muslims and other citizens.

He called on Nigerians to put the interest of the country above selfish interests and use religion as a motivation for the love of common humanity.

President Buhari says with putting the teachings of religions into practice, most of the evils afflicting the society would have been solved. According to the President, religion should not just be used as a mere badge of identity, but as a motivator for doing good for the country and humanity.

He explained that the exploitation of the people by traders and the stealing of public funds by civil servants and other holders of public trust is a reflection of the abandonment of the teachings of religions.

“Our society is a bundle of contradictions. People display external religiosity without fear of God; they make life difficult for others; money becomes their god; leaders abandon their oaths of office by taking money meant for the welfare of the people and divert it to their private pockets,” he said.

President Buhari congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and the world on the occasion of the Eid, citing for special mention, “the brave men and women in uniform fighting terror on many fronts and their families, as well as others held hostage and kept away from their families by wicked and heartless terrorists.”

He used the occasion to call on all Muslims to reflect on the significance of the sacrifice epitomised by Eid. According to the President, “We should show love and care to our neighbours and others while celebrating this spiritually important event in our lives.”

President Buhari also advised Muslims “to promote the good virtues of Islam through personal examples and practice,” adding that “Muslims should avoid association with violent extremist ideas that have wrongly given Islam a negative image or poor perception.”

On the current security challenges and costs of living in the country, President Buhari assured Nigerians that “I won’t rest until I bring relief to Nigerians,” adding that “I am quite aware of the difficulties people are facing and working to resolve them.”

The President says he hoped that Eid celebration will be a source of blessing, peace, prosperity and safety for all Nigerians, stressing that coexistence and stability will prevail in the country.