President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday in Lagos called on Nigerians to prioritise peace, tolerance and collective responsibility as essential ingredients for nation-building, stressing that the stability and security of the country require the involvement of all citizens.

Speaking after the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground in Lagos, the President said peaceful coexistence remains the foundation of national development and urged citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious activities across the country.

“I pray for peace in the country. The stability, peace and security of the nation is not just one man’s responsibility. We are all involved. Report suspicious movements of people across the length and breadth of the country. These are our responsibilities too,” he said.

Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to sustain the virtues learned during Ramadan and Lent, including patience, tolerance, kindness and neighbourliness, noting that such values should extend beyond religious seasons.

He emphasised the importance of supporting the vulnerable and assisting those in need, describing charity and compassion as core teachings of religion that should be consistently practiced.

“We should assist the needy and help the vulnerable… We must continue not because Ramadan has come and it’s over… We must continue to be our brother’s keeper,” he added.

The President also noted that all religions ultimately promote the worship of one God, urging citizens to reflect shared spiritual values in their conduct while embracing Nigeria’s diversity and unity.

According to him, nation-building is a shared responsibility that requires inclusiveness and mutual respect among citizens of different faiths and backgrounds.

Highlighting his recent state visit to the United Kingdom, Tinubu described the reception he and the First Lady received from Charles III and Queen Camilla as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing relevance in the global community.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Hamzat, who represented the state government at the event, said Lagos would continue to pray for peace and stability in Nigeria while appreciating the President’s support for the state.

In his sermon, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, who led the Eid prayers, urged Muslims to uphold the lessons of Ramadan, emphasising penitence, piety and peaceful coexistence.

He warned that the current global climate of tension and economic uncertainty calls for calmness, wisdom and restraint among Nigerians, describing Islam as a religion rooted in peace, discipline and compassion.

The President was accompanied to the Eid ground by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; as well as family members and associates.