By John Dike, Osogbo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has felicitated with Muslims across the state and Nigeria at large on the occasion of the 2026 Eid-Adha celebration, calling on citizens and leaders to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, peaceful coexistence and responsible leadership for the progress of the nation.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, and the Secretary, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju, the union described the festival as a season of deep reflection, obedience, compassion, love and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.
The Council urged Muslims to sustain the values of patience, tolerance, generosity and peaceful living which the festival symbolises, especially at a time Nigeria continues to grapple with economic hardship and security concerns affecting many parts of the country.
According to the statement, Nigerians irrespective of religious or political affiliations must use the sacred period to pray for peace, unity and stability in the country, while also supporting efforts aimed at national development.
The NUJ further expressed concern over the persistent insecurity across the nation, noting that the rising cases of violent crimes and threats to public safety remain a major challenge to national stability and peaceful coexistence.
While commending security agencies for their sacrifices and commitment towards the protection of lives and property, the Council urged them to sustain intelligence-driven operations, professionalism and collaboration with members of the public in tackling criminal activities.
The journalists’ body also appealed to citizens to remain law-abiding and security conscious during and after the festive period by providing useful information that could assist security operatives in combating crime.
Speaking on the political atmosphere in Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, the Council called on political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of threatening the peace of the state.
The NUJ emphasised that elections should not be viewed as a do-or-die affair but as a democratic process through which the people freely choose their leaders.
The Council stressed the need for issue-based campaigns, mutual respect among political actors and strict adherence to electoral laws, warning against hate speech, political violence and other forms of conduct capable of undermining democracy.
It therefore appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and the media to continue promoting peace, tolerance and civic responsibility as the state gradually enters the election season.
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The Osun NUJ finally wished Muslims a peaceful and rewarding Eid-el-Kabir celebration and prayed for continued peace, progress and prosperity in Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
