President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to uphold good neighbourliness, promote peace and unity, and pray for the nation’s progress and security as Christians and Muslims commence the Lenten and Ramadan fasts.

In a message to both faith communities marking the simultaneous start of Lent and Ramadan on Wednesday, the President described the rare overlap as a reminder of shared values among Nigerians of different religions.

He encouraged citizens to reflect the core teachings of their faiths and remain dutiful to God and fellow human beings.

“With deep reverence to God Almighty, I extend my greetings to Christian and Muslim faithful on the solemn occasions of Lent and Ramadan,” he said.

“Both seasons beginning on the same day is uncommon and reminds us that, as people of faith, we share much in common and are one people under God.”

Tinubu noted that for Christians, Lent is a period of fasting, abstinence, and repentance, inspired by the example of Jesus Christ in the wilderness before His crucifixion. For Muslims, he said, Ramadan represents a sacred period of submission to God, sacrifice, devotion, service, and communal love, as well as one of the five pillars of Islam.

He called on Nigerians to use the season for spiritual reflection, compassion, and national harmony.

“As we begin these important observances, I urge all citizens to practise good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity, and stability, and pray for the continued progress and security of our nation,” the President said.

He also prayed that the lessons, blessings, and spiritual gains of the holy seasons would endure in the lives of Nigerians and across Nigeria.