By Agnes Afolabi
Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) on Thursday, celebrated the Eid-el-Kabir, expressing optimism that President Bola Tinubu would improve the nation’s economy.
NICASA President, Mr Ben Okoli, made this known in a telephone interview in Abuja.
Okoli congratulated Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration globally, while pledging the support of Nigerian community in South Africa for Tinubu-led government to achieve meaningful growth.
“As usual, the spirit of the celebration is high and Nigerians in South Africa are celebrating Sallah, especially with high hope on the new government in place.
“People are celebrating with the hope that they are looking forward to great future, according to our Muslim brothers and sisters, the mood is high.
“Their expectation is high, there is belief that Sallah celebration prayers will bring good and bright future for our fatherland.
“So, we celebrate with Muslim faithful and we will continue to support Nigeria and the programmes of President Bola Tinubu.
“It is a new government, especially with the Sallah celebration, we believe God will bless Nigeria and the new administration.”
He said that although, there was no platform for compatriots to come together and celebrate there, Muslim faithful respectively celebrated to commemorate the festival.
According to him, Nigerians had fun and made time to unwind, adding that there was no get together, but friends met with one another to celebrate.
“On the peace we enjoy now, we are happy that we have such relative peace and hope it will continue.
“Notwithstanding, it is not to say we have total peace, there is still pocket of problems here and there.
“We hope that the new government will continue to work closely with our two diplomatic missions here, because they are doing great.
“They are doing wonderfully well and we hope they continue to work closely with government too, as we work with them, to protect Nigerians against xenophobia and all forms of brutality.”