The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pray

  • Pray for peace, progress, Senator Adeola urges Nigerians

    As Muslims the world over celebrate the Eid el Kabir, the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola, has enjoined Nigerians to keep praying  for peace and progress in the country.

    He is confident that Nigeria will overcome the current economic recession with its attendant hardship.

    Adeola, in a Sallah message, said strict adherence to the teachings of Islam in the areas of love, brotherliness, piety, peaceful co-existence as well as tolerance will greatly help the Buhari administration to achieve its progressive agenda for the nation.

    He described the present down turn of the economy as a passing phase that will soon be over with correct government policies and peoples’ cooperation in implementing the policies.

    The senator said he will continue to represent his constituents by ensuring that they continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy from the government as well as from his programmes in the area of health, education, provision of social amenities like boreholes and transformers, among others constituency empowerment programmes all aimed at complementing efforts of government at all levels.

    He urged Muslims to shun social vices as contained in the Koran as such are not only detrimental to individuals’ wellbeing on the long run but also harmful to the fabric of the society in various ways that may not be immediately seen.

  • Let’s pray for Buhari, says Tinubu

    Let’s pray for Buhari, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged the citizenry to keep praying for President Muhammadu Buhari’s recovery to full health.
    Speaking in Kano during a condolence visit to Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over the death of Dan Masani Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Tinubu said “there is nothing anybody can do in the face of health challenge”.
    He said: “The President did not lie to us. He told us he was ill; and he needs to take care of himself. I don’t see any crisis about this situation. We are a nation that is very humane, honest, compassionate, and resilient. We take care of our own neighbours.”
    The one-time Lagos State governor added: “I am not a member of presidential cabinet, but I am a member of his party and I am a Nigerian. All we can do is to pray for him.”
    On the feud between the Presidency and the National Assembly, Tinubu said he did not see any crisis there.
    He said: “Honestly, I don’t see any problem in the crisis between the legislature and executive because we are in politics and in politics, there is an inbuilt conflict resolution mechanism.
    “Crisis, argument and communication are part of politics and there is a self-corrective process.
    “The National Assembly is there to voice their objective or objection.  It is constitutional to take action against the opposition while the executive is to do the job of executive. They don’t have to be dog and nick to one another.
    ‘But for the peace, unity, prosperity, harmony and progress of the country, they have to work together; they are co-joined twins. No one can consume one another. If they play the politics well, Nigeria will be better for it.”
    Tinubu, accompanied by among others House of Representatives member James Faleke and a former Minister of State (Defence) Demola Seriki, paid glowing tributes to the late Sule, Malam Yusuf Ali and Ganduje, who he endorsed for second term.
    Tinubu said: “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be here today. It has been very tough in the last few years. I grew up in the hands of two people, who knew me to my home. One of them is Dan Massanin Kano, who has just passed on.
    “The other is a living legend, Malam Yusuf Ali. In fact, my bedroom, where I am sleeping today, he has slept there; and he has been a great guiding light for me. He lost his brother; he lost a son, not too long ago. I have not been able to come and be with him.
    “It is only God who gives and he takes. We cannot change any date of calendar as written by God almighty. God will continue to be with you and console you. You will live long for us.
    “And incidentally, I will repeat this when we get to the Government House. Our brother, Ganduje, Your Excellency, you are saying eight years, some people are saying 12 years; but if you put comma in any line of the constitution, that is an amendment.
    “So, I endorse eight years, we are with it, and with all our body and soul. You are a great man – and you are a very very loyal man. We have been planning to come to condole with you because of Dan Masani. It is not just a Kano bereavement, but a national bereavement. We should condole with you and the people of Kano State because you are bereaved.
    “One thing that we must note in His Excellency, Governor Ganduje is this – he is one of the most straightforward, dependable individuals. When you agree on something, or in the words of Donald Trump, ‘do a deal with him,’ you can go to sleep because you will be the one to break that accord, not him.
    “Ganduje, I want to say thank you. You are so humble, so dependable. You are a friend that is completely flexible. You have the understanding of family and friendship.
    “So, if you say eight years, yes; before you add the other four years, I say watch – that other four years, maybe as a governor, maybe as a president. So, we will wait, let’s amortise the eight years first.”
    Ganduje thanked Tinubu for his visit and prayed that God would forgive the sins of the departed.

  • Cleric urges Nigerians to pray for Buhari

    Cleric urges Nigerians to pray for Buhari

    Rev. Soji Adeniyi of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lokoja, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari,as he traveled out of the country on health ground.

    ‎Adeniyi made the appeal on Sunday in Lokoja, his sermon entitled, “The need to always pray for a nation.”

    The cleric said there was a need for the people to always seek the face of God for their leaders and country.

    The Reverend, who prayed for the quick recovery of Buhari, said he would triumph over the sickness and return in good health to continue his duty to the nation.

    He advised people who form the habit of wishing their fellow human death to eschew such attitude, adding that it was against the scripture.

    Adeniyi, however, urged leaders to always have the fear of God in their actions toward the led and make it a duty to serve the people.

    He expressed the hope that Nigeria would soon be ranked among great nations of the world. (NAN)

  • Ondo monarch’s kidnapper begged victim to pray for him to renounce criminality

    Ondo monarch’s kidnapper begged victim to pray for him to renounce criminality

    •Second–in-command abducted alongwith Oba Daodu relives trauma

    The last may not have been heard about the kidnap of Ondo State monarch, Oba Sunday Daodu, last weekend.

    This is as the second-in-command, Chief Olugbenga Giwa, who was kidnapped along with the monarch has revealed how the leader of the kidnap gang regretted his involvement in criminal activities and begged his astounded victim to pray for his “deliverance from the spirit of criminality.”

    Giwa said: “There was a time inside the bush that the leader of the kidnappers approached the monarch to pray for him to renounce his criminality.

    Oba Daodu consented and prayed for him.” He debunked the claim that they were targeted for abduction,stressing that they were only victims of circumstance that could happen to any passenger on the highway.

    Giwa said the hoodlums held them after shooting and deflating two tyres of the vehicle they were travelling in. He said they became so apprehensive immediately the kidnappers shot their tyres that it didn’t occur to them to pray for divine intervention.

    After immobilizing their vehicle, Giwa said the gunmen grabbed them and pushed him and the monarch into the bush where the journey to an ‘unknown’ land began. According to him: “The abductors were not Yoruba going by their postures and intonations.

    “They look more like Boko Haram insurgents. We were inbetween life and death because of the brutal treatment they meted out to us.” The monarch and his second-in command were abducted last weekend near Oba-Akoko on Owo-Ikare Road around 4.30pm.

    Giwa, who is the Shaba of Iyani-Akoko, drove the monarch’s car before they were seized by the kidnappers.

    Notable personalities have continued to visit the palace of the monarch to rejoice with him. Former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly,Dr Bakitta Bello, said he was disturbed that public highways in the country were no more safe for passengers.

    He urged the state assembly to “enact a law that would curtail kidnapping and armed robbery.” On his part, the Chairman, Akoko Northwest Local Government Council, Morakinyo Ajayi, who paid a congratulatory visit to the freed monarch appreciated Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his efforts in ensuring the safe return of Oba Daodu from the kidnappers’ den.

  • ‘Our president is sick, everything in us as a nation is sick’

    ‘Our president is sick, everything in us as a nation is sick’

    The Forum of Chief Imams of all Juma’at  mosques in the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger state converged at Minna central mosque on Saturday for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers were also offered for the development and progress of the nation at the session.

    “Our president is sick, everything in us as a nation is sick. All that is expected of us is to include him in our daily prayers,”Sheik Ibrahim Fari, Chairman of the forum, told NAN.

    He said that the prayers were aimed at supporting the prayers of all Nigerians asking God to restore the president’s good health.

    “The entire nation needs him to accomplish his mission of re-positioning the country towards ending corruption in our lives.

    “Corruption has been the major factor responsible for our collective setback.

    “This gathering is very important to ask Allah to strengthen the current administration in it’s efforts at ending the senseless killings of innocent Nigerians especially in the Northeast and North central.

    “Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religious  and political differences, should come together and pray for our leaders,” Sheik Ibrahim stated.

     

  • 65,000 Christians in Katsina fast, pray for Buhari

    65,000 Christians in Katsina fast, pray for Buhari

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says about 65,000 of its members in Katsina State, have begun seven-day fasting and prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Rev. Nelson Onyeka Chukwu, CAN Chairman in the state, who disclosed this to journalists on Monday in Katsina, said that the prayers would be offered at Mountain of Fire Church at Kofar-Kaura, Katsina and in six other Churches.

    Chukwu listed the other Churches as Church of God Mission, Calvary Baptist, ECWA, St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, and C&S, Dutsin-ma road, all in Katsina.

    He further said that that the prayers would be concluded next Sunday at St. John’s Anglican Church, Katsina.

    Chukwu said that the decision was in recognition of the good works the President started for the country.

    ‘’We are praying for our President’s quick recovery because of the good works he had begun for the country,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report that Muslims faithful in the state and Daura Emirate Council also offered prayers for the President’s quick recovery.

    No fewer than 50,000 youths in Daura, Duara Local Government in the state held rally in solidarity for the President’s administration last Saturday.

  • Oba of Benin urges prayers for Buhari

    Oba of Benin urges prayers for Buhari

    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku-Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II has urged Nigerians to pray for the good health and safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Addressing a gathering on Tuesday in Umegbe community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo, the Benin monarch also directed traditional rulers to pray for the President.

    In attendance at the meeting were —  Igie – Ohen, (priests and priestesses), Oba N’ Amen, Enigies Odionwere -Evbo and all other traditional rulers in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, who travelled on Feb. 6 to the United Kingdom on vacation, was also scheduled to see his physician during the 10 day trip.

    However, since the President’s trip, the country has been regaled with reports, particularly on the social media that he is very ill, but which his media aides and other government officials have denied.

    Oba Ewuare II said the President had good intentions to change the current economic woes of the country for the benefit of all.

    He said that Buhari needed the prayers of all traditional institutions to govern the country in good health.

    The monarch also said that celebrations in Benin would henceforth be expanded to accommodate other cultures and traditions of people of the entire state.

    He advised youths in the state to desist from land speculations and other social vices, adding that they should channel their youthful efforts to agriculture.

    Earlier, Chief Anthony Osagie, the Enogie of Umegbe, said that the monarch’s elimination of Community Development Associations and land transactions in the kingdom had restored the  dignity of the Benin kingdom.

    Osagie and other traditional rulers at the gathering pledged their unalloyed loyalty to Oba Ewuare II and urged him to use his position to attract development and basic amenities to the state. (NAN)

  • Aregbesola, Sultan, PDP pray for Nigeria, Buhari

    Aregbesola, Sultan, PDP pray for Nigeria, Buhari

    Muslims all over the country, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday gathered in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, to pray for the nation and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola said economy and poverty, rather than religion, were major springboards of terrorism.

    Tagged: “Prayer for our nation for peace, security, stability and development”, the event was organised in honour of Deputy President-General (South), Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola.

    The Sultan called for the nation’s unity to get out of recession.

    He enjoined religious groups to make prayer a daily routine as the country needs spiritual solutions to its peculiar challenges.

    During his call on the governor, Abubakar praised Aregbesola for his commitment to the development of humanity.

    He said the state under Aregbesola demonstrated a high sense of fairness to religious organisations.

    The Sultan said: “I must acknowledge your commitment in promoting unity among religious organisations.

    “We have not in any way closed our eyes to your administration’s determination in making things happen even in the face of the present realities.”

    The governor called on Muslim leaders to eradicate poverty in the land.

    He said: “It is disappointing to hear that Muslims are being asked to kill for as low as N200.

    “What is the problem with us Muslims? Why is poverty afflicting us so terribly that we can now accept just any amount to kill ourselves?

    “Unless we are not worried by the spate of this economic condition, by now we must develop capacity and strategy to end the poverty.

    “Let the truth be told: Religion is not the cause of insurgency but extreme poverty. Let us create an organisation to tackle and eradicate poverty now. This is a challenge to the entire Muslim Ummah.”

    NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Isiaq Oloyede said Islam could live with other religions but abhours injustice.

    Former Inspector-General of Police Musliu Smith said the event was timely given the nation’s present situation.

    Also yesterday, leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest prayed for the President’s quick recovery “in order to continue his anti-corruption crusade”.

    Rising from an expanded Southwest PDP Committee meeting in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, the party acknowledged and affirmed the leadership of Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff and his repositioning efforts.

    These were the highlights of a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which was read by the National Vice-Chairman/Zonal Chairman, South West PDP, Makanjuola Ogundipe.

    The party said it was the alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government and urged all to move the party forward and put it in good stead for the task ahead, including the forthcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

    In his remark, Sheriff said he would continue to work for the party’s progress and return it to the grassroots.

    Sheriff, who stated that he will not be provoked by the statement of the Chairman of the Strategy Review Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, urged him (Gana) to go and contest election in his locality and win before he can talk to him about party administration and management.

    In his keynote address, former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, who is also the deputy chairman of PDP Reconciliation Committee, attributed the crisis in the party to lack of internal democracy, imposition of candidates and impunity.

    Mantu said the party bungled the goodwill it enjoyed for 16 years by allowing internal wrangling to fester.

    He urged party leaders to shelve personal interests and work towards mending the cracks in the party.

    “All must cooperate to ensure total victory in the  Southwest and Nigeria in 2019.

    “The tongue and the teeth live inside the mouth and they do sometime clash but none vacates the mouth for the other.

    “We must, therefore, not allow seeming differences affect our victory at the polls,” he said.

    The meeting was attended by the Sheriff’s faction deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojuigbo; National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo; Senator Sam Anyanwu (Imo West), Senator Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) and former FCT Minister Mohammed Abba Gana.

    Others included Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo,  Adesegun Adekoya, Segun Odebunmi; Victor Akande, Bowale Solaja, former presidential adviser  Ahmed Gulak and chieftains from Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo and Ogun states.

  • Ajimobi: pray for Buhari, others

    Ajimobi: pray for Buhari, others

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has advised Nigerians to continue to pray for the well-being of President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders instead of peddling unfounded rumours.
    The governor gave the advice in an interview after his return from an official trip to Abuja, at the Alakia Airport, Ibadan.
    Ajimobi said he was in Abuja for a scheduled meeting with World Bank officials, stressing that no governor was invited to any imaginary meeting to discuss the health status of the country’s leader as being speculated.
    He said: “There is no iota of truth in the rumour making the rounds that governors were summoned to Abuja for an emergency meeting to discuss the health status of our President. We should desist from circulating callous insinuations aimed at denting the image of prominent citizens.
    “Instead of peddling unfounded rumours, I will advise Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders, including governors, because their well-being is tied to the well-being of the people.
    “The rigours of governance require that leaders take time off to relax and recoup for the daunting challenges ahead of them. We should be fair to our leaders, because they are also human beings with feelings.
    “It is pertinent to state here that the President only went for a break and to use the opportunity to undergo routine medical check-up. To the best of my knowledge he was not even admitted into any hospital for any ailment.
    “There is nothing wrong with the President taking some time off to rest and meet with some people abroad unofficially. I’m reaffirming the fact that our President is hale and hearty.”
    Recalling the negative comments that trailed his recent interaction with the protesting students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, in the social media, the governor said it was high time the medium was regulated to forestall its abuse for the good of all.

  • Buhari’s wife prays for families of fallen soldiers

    Buhari’s wife prays for families of fallen soldiers

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Sunday prayed for families of Nigeria’s soldiers who died in line of duty, as the country marked the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    She also prayed that the labours, love and sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be forgotten.

    Mrs Buhari, who sent a congratulatory message through her face book page in Abuja on Sunday, expressed optimism that the time had come when Nigeria would be free from terrorism.

    ‘’As we remember our fallen heroes today, I pray for those they left behind; our heroes will never be forgotten.

    ‘’Their labours and sacrifices will not be in vain.

    ‘’I pray that the time has come when there will be zero terrorism and insurgency in our land.

    ‘’To our gallant troops who had fought and still fighting to restore peace, I say thank you,’’ she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that the Federal Governmen fixed Jan. 15 of every year to remember the soldiers who lost their lives to keep the country (NAN)