The Nation Newspaper

Tag: prayers

  • Adamawa votes N200m for prayers against Boko Haram

    The Adamawa State plans to pay prayer warriors and vigilance groups up  to N200million for their services in the fight against the terror sect,Boko Haram.

    The State Chief of Staff,Alhaji Abdurahman Jimeta said yesterday in Yola that divine intervention is desirable toward ending the security challenges facing the state.

    Alhaji  Jimeta who spoke on the Adamawa State Television  said the money was sourced from the state and Local Governments joint account.

    “We have earmarked N200 million for prayers to seek for Allah’s intervention in tackling the Boko Haram menace and other insecurity challenges threatening the stability of the state,”  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted him as saying.

    He said that part of that money  would go into assisting local vigilance teams and security operatives.

    Adamawa,Borno and Yobe states are the hardest hit by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Thousands of lives have been killed by the terrorists and many more displaced.

    Some of those who fled across the border to Cameroon have been sent back home and are now in camps across the three states.

  • Kubwa Muslims defy rain, throng out for prayers

    Muslims in Kubwa, a satellite in Abuja came out in large numbers to attend the Eid el-Fitr prayers in spite of downpour in the area.

    The prayers, which held at the Eid Praying Ground, Phase 3, Kubwa, Abuja, saw a large turnout of gaily dressed Muslim faithful, most of who got drenched in the rains.

    Imam Abdurrahim Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Kubwa, in his sermon, enjoined Muslims to draw from the lessons of Ramadan and continue to live responsible lives.

    He emphasised the importance of the Zakatul Fitir, which, according to him, all Muslims are obliged to pay on behalf of themselves and members of their families.

    “The days of Ramadan were made lively through fasting and increased remembrance of Allah, while its nights were lightened through night prayers, and people retained an expected kind of behaviour.

    “ Ramadan has left us with several lessons, like truthfulness, piety, justice, patience and goodness, and all these should be retained afterwards.

    “Allah has enjoined all Muslims to observe the Zakatul Fitir at the end of Ramadan, and this is meant to increase our faith, complete or worship and perfect His favours upon us.

    “It is obligatory on Muslims to give out Zakat on behalf of himself and those under his care, including wives, children, parents, relatives and house helps.’’

    The Imam decried the spate of insurgency in the country and urged the government to take decisive steps to end the scourge.

    “Boko Haram is a major challenge to Islam and we urge government to take the necessary steps in ensuring that the menace is ended and its perpetrators and sponsors brought to book.

  • Dogara: Buhari needs prayers to succeed

    Dogara: Buhari needs prayers to succeed

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders need the prayers of all Nigerians to succeed.

    Dogara spoke when he attended a Thanksgiving Service at the Winners Chapel, Durumi, Abuja.

    According to the Speaker, because the challenges before the present leaders are not ordinary, it requires extra-ordinary prayers to overcome them.

    Dogara said: “I want to plead that the problems we have now in the country are not conventional, so conventional wisdom cannot solve them. We need divine wisodm.

    “Without prayers there is no way we can succeed. So I urge that we offer prayers and supplication for all the leaders beginning from the President to the least person in authority.”

    According to the Speaker, the reason leaders need prayers is “so that we can embrace this wisdom that comes from God and apply those tools that we can fashion out by means of this wisdom in bringing solution to the problems that are no longer conventional.

    The Speaker said he had been a product of grace and never had to struggle for anything in his life.

    Dogara said ever since he encountered God before his university days, he never lacked any good thing.

    “Ever since I met God through this commission at a tender age, I have not had to struggle for anything in life.

    “I never had any reason to struggle nor lack any good thing in my life.’’

    While acknowledging God as his source, the Speaker urged Nigerians to keep praying for leaders, saying without prayers, nothing could be achieved.

    He said conventional problems do not need conventional wisdom but divine wisdom, stressing that “Nigeria needs God’s blessings at all times.

    “The nation needs steadfast leaders who will do the will of God, not theirs.

    “We need your prayers, we can’t do it alone.’’

    Pastor John Adelekan, the Senior Pastor of the church, urged the congregation to keep praying for leaders in the country, adding that this was the right thing to do.

    He said: “Service to God pays, as it is the easiest way to experience unending blessings from Him.’’

    The pastor said service to God also opened the doors of favour when a man’s way pleased God, as He would make ones enemies to be at peace with him.

    Pastor Adelekun, while preaching read scriptures from the book of Matthew 6:33, Malachi 3:l7, Ephesians 6:18 among other verses, called on the worshippers to serve God and tap into His blessings.

    According to him, those who serve God are doing themselves favour by doing so and do not beg to be lifted.

  • Nigerian leaders need prayers

    SIR: Nigerians need to always pray for their leaders and the nation.  Prayer remains the only key to bring together citizens to live harmoniously in pursuit of a common goal.

    Religious organizations owe leaders prayers for divine guidance to lead the nation out of the present socio-economic and political problems. Though many would argue that there had been so many prayer conventions and programmes which are yet to make impact in people’s lives; yet we should not stop praying. Prayer is holding Nigeria and even the world together, because a prayerless world is a powerless world. Although, many Nigerians are living in poverty, God can redirect the nation and make it a more viable country that would take its rightful position among the comity of nations.

    Most of the things happening at the moment are signs of the end-time and no man can stem the tide, but God, through His infinite mercy sometimes uses the trials in our lives to test and grow our faith.

    Nigerian leaders need to eschew bitterness and look for ways out of the present socio-economic logjam the country is trapped in. There are great dangers in holding on to bitterness as it has the tendency of retarding the growth of a country.

    Nigerians should brace up for the challenges of the global economic development by looking up to God, as the author and finisher of their faith because their salvation lies in no other man.

     

    • Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel , Lagos.
  • Jonathan calls for prayers at Winners Chapel

    Jonathan calls for prayers at Winners Chapel

    President Goodluck Jonathan worshipped at the Winners Chapel, Ota in Ogun State yesterday, urging Christians to continue to pray for the success and peaceful conduct of next month’s general elections.

    In a brief speech at the service, Jonathan admitted that the country was going through some challenges.

    He noted that the situation would have been worse, but for the prayers of Nigerians.

    Despite fears and predictions of doom about the coming elections, he said he was sure that God would take control.

    He hailed the founder of the Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, for his commitment to God’s work and education in the country.

    “It is very commendable that the church has two universities, which have contributed to the development of education in the country. I am from a humble background and know the value of education,” Jonathan said.

    Bishop Oyedepo led a prayer session for the president during which the congregation prayed for grace to meet the demands of his office.

    “It is our duty to make intercession for Kings. Our prayer is that God will lift His countenance upon the President and grant the nation peace,” Oyedepo said.

  • ‘Nigeria needs prayers’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has urged Muslims and Christians to pray for the country as the 2015 election approaches.

    He also asked Nigerians to pray for peace and continued unity of the nation.

    The Minister gave the advice in his Maulud Nabiu message.

    Mohammed admonished Muslims to reflect on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which is primarily premised selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality.

    He urged Muslims to adhere to the scardinal principle of peace.

    The Minister noted that the celebration that marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad calls for sober reflection and spiritual rejuvenation, as the Prophet has remained a role model worthy of emulation for all generations.

    His words: “As you pray for the nation, I enjoin you to also pray for its leadership, for God to continue give and protect guide, to President Goodluck Jonathan the strength and the wisdom to steer the affairs of the country”.

    The Minister assured that the FCT Administration would continue to guarantee the security of the lives and property of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He, however, enjoined residents to always report any suspicious movement to the law enforcement agents.

  • Bala urges prayers against insurgency

    Bala urges prayers against insurgency

    Prayer has come up again as one veritable weapon with which to defeat insurgents who have destabilised the Northeast of the country and continue to cause the nation’s leadership and the entire citizens much worry.

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed called on Nigerians, especially religious leaders, to offer prayers so that the nation will overcome the daunting challenges posed by insecurity in some parts of the country and ensure continued peace and stability.

    Senator Mohammed gave the advice while declaring open the National Executive Committee meeting of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lugbe, Abuja.

    Insurgents have caused much havoc in many parts of the country, especially the North, including the FCT. Their bombs have killed  many, wrecked houses, worship centres and altered the economy of the North and the people’s lifestyle.

    The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu recognised the importance and inestimable contributions of the Christian Association of Nigeria to the development and growth of Nigerian state through fervent prayers, useful suggestions and constructive advice.

    His words: “It is against this backdrop that we expect CAN to, among other things, utilise the platform offered by this meeting for a sober reflection and mediation on the state of the sation”.

    He said, “Nigeria needs your prayers to overcome the daunting challenges posed by insecurity in some parts of the country so as to ensure continued peace and stability.”

    Mohammed reminded the religious leaders to also pray for Nigeria as the country is at the threshold of another political transition in a few months from now, adding that “your prayers and advice to ensure a peaceful electoral process are most needed at this moment”.

    While remarking that religious organisations remain one of the most potent channels of sensitisation and mobilisation, he admonished CAN and other religious bodies to help in the sensitization of their faithful on the need to eschew violence and maintain a culture of peaceful co-existence.

    The Minister assured that the FCT Administration on its part would continue to provide the required infrastructure and services to make Abuja a world-class city as envisaged by its founding fathers.

    Speaking earlier, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said “what is happening in the North East is totally unacceptable to us”.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the FCT CAN, Rev. Israel Akanji appreciated the FCT Administration, particularly the FCT Minister for his uncommon effort to raise the standard of living of the residents of the Territory.

    The President of CAN, Vice President CAN, General Secretary, CAN, all directors of CAN, President of WOWICAN, President of YOWICAN as well as the Zonal Chairmen and Heads of various churches in the country attended the meeting.

     

  • Egwuekwe: Prayers can get Eagles AFCON ticket

    Egwuekwe: Prayers can get Eagles AFCON ticket

    • Says Eagles’ players have resolved to win in Congo

    Super Eagles’ defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has disclosed that the country’s national team players are aware of what is at stake and would ensure that they secure victory in the last two rounds of the 2015 African Cup of Nations  (AFCON) qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next month.

    The Eagles, the defending champions of the AFCON by virtue of the feat recording last year in South Africa are in danger of missing out on the next edition.

    They are third in the qualifiers with four points from four matches and must win their final two matches to stand a chance of defending the crown won at the expense of Burkina Faso in 2013.

    Egwuekwe in a chat with SportingLife revealed that the recent plight of the Eagles in the qualifiers has always been on their mind  and they are resolved to get the maximum points in their last two qualifying matches to pick a ticket to AFCON.

    The Warri Wolves’ captain opined that Nigerians should not fret as the Eagles players have talked to themselves to ensure that the nation is not deprived of the opportunity to watch their stars at the next AFCON,  hence the determination to approach their last two matches with all their might.

    “We know what is at stake and we have promised not to disappoint Nigerians.

    We  don’t need to be told to win. We know winning is a must. We are happy with our recent position on the AFCON qualifiers’ log and we have joined forces to ensure that we get the ticket.

    “We know that we would be setting a bad record for ourselves if we do not qualify because Nigerians still remember vividly those that didn’t manage to take the Eagles to AFCON in the past. We don’t want to be associated with such record,” Egwuekwe said.

    Eagles must score three goals against Congo and hope that the Red Devils do not get more than one, when they play them on November 14th in Brazzaville before another must win tie at Uyo on November 19th.

    But Egwuekwe added that both matches are surmountable adding that what the Eagles need right now is  prayers and that the players would ensure that they complement the prayers with work on the pitch in both games.

  • Prayers for governor’s dad

    Prayers for governor’s dad

    The one year remembrance prayers for Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola, father of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola,  holds tomorrow at the Surulere Secondary School, Ladipo Labinjo Crescent (Off Bode Thomas Street), Surulere, at 12 noon.

    Alhaji Fashola died on August 5, last year, at 80. He was buried according to Islamic rites the following day.

  • Nigeria needs prayers, cleric declares

    The District Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith Church in West Africa, Rev. Emmanuel Adeniran, has called for intense prayers to save the nation.

    Nigerians, he stated, need prayers that move the hands of God and flow from pure hearts.

    He spoke at the West and Central (WECA) District Headquarters of the church in Anthony Village Lagos with reporters on the camp meeting that commences today.

    The meeting ends on August 24, according to him.

    Adeniran said: “At the, moment, the stability of our nation is greatly threatened and the future will forever remain lost in oblivion, should we fail to heed the call of our creator.

    “For every fabric of our society to experience true salvation and transformation, we must all resolve to experience the true transformation and cleansing from within through the shed blood of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.”

    This year’s meeting, according to Adeniran, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the church.

    On what to expect at the camp, he said: “It is a period of spiritual rejuvenation wherein we converge with great expectation to hear, receive and be blessed of God.

    “It is a time set aside and ordained by God through His divine purpose to bless, heal and deliver both the spiritually and physically oppressed.”