Tag Archives: Prayers

“I appreciate your prayers”, President Buhari tells Nigerians.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation to Nigerians for the prayers offered on his behalf.

Since January 19 when he went on vacation in the UK, different individuals and groups have been praying for him.

On Friday, 350 mosques offered special prayers for the nation’s number one citizen.

Responding to the goodwill after receiving national assembly leaders at Abuja House, London, on Wednesday, Buhari said he appreciated Christians and Muslims alike for the interest in his health.

He also thanked Senate President Bukola Saraki; Ahmad Lawan, senate majority leader; and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, for their visit.

“I thanked them for visiting. I’m also grateful to Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, for their prayers and kind wishes for my health,” he wrote on Twitter.

 

Buhari was scheduled to return to the country on February 5, but he extended his leave indefinitely, saying his doctor had advised him to wait and get results of some tests.

Many Nigerian politicians have visited Buhari in London.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has been in charge of the country since Buhari left.

MASSOB calls for prayers, fasting for release of Nnamdi Kanu, other Biafra agitators

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The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has called on those sympathetic to the Biafra cause to pray and fast ahead of an Abuja Federal High Court ruling that will decide the fate of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on December 1st.

 

This was contained in a statement signed and released by the leader of the group, Comrade Uchenna Madu, on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State capital.

 

Recall that the Justice Binta Nyako – led court had on November 8 fixed December 1 for ruling on the bail application of Kanu.

 

According to Madu, “Ndigbo shall not abandon their own son because of individual personal interest. As Nnamdi Kanu and others will appear in court on Dec 1st, MASSOB urge the people of Biafra all over the world to observe praying, fasting and supplication for our brothers and Biafra heroes.

 

“MASSOB members will engage in charismatic prayer meeting at MASSOB headquarters, Okwe on Dec 1st. As MASSOB demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and others, we shall maintain our non violence principles.

 

“Until Igbo leaders understand the efficacies, potencies and political value of MASSOB, IPOB and others, they will never progress politically in Nigeria.

 

“Today, major Igbo leaders have abandoned Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Nwawuisi and Madubugwu of IPOB, Innocent Orji, Sabastine Amadi, Uchenna Nicholas and 17 others of MASSOB and Benjamin Onwuka and others of BZM because they thought that these men pose threat to their political adventures in Nigeria or economic interest.”

CAN Calls For 3-day Fasting, Prayers For Nigeria

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called for a 3-day fasting and prayer session for the nation in commemoration of its 56th independence anniversary coming up on October 1st.

October 1, 2016 will mark 56 years since Nigeria gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1960.

Various developments in the last few years have triggered growing concerns about Nigeria’s unity and national development.

The CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, in a statement from his head of media and publicity, Adebayo Oladeji, said the prayers will be for the nation and its president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Ayokunle had during his message at Sallah called for patience and understanding from Nigerians for the current government.

He noted that although the times were hard, God will show his mercies to Nigeria if the nation prays to God.

Reiterating his earlier point, Mr. Ayokunle, a pastor, called on Nigerians to use the opportunity of the anniversary to talk to God about Nigeria’s many challenges.

“We call on all Christians nation-wide to seek the face of God for divine intervention as our political leaders are seeking for the panacea to the economic recession and the attendant problems,” he said quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Credit:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/210883-independence-can-calls-3-day-fasting-prayers-nigeria.html

Rivers Community Holds 3-day Fasting, Prayers Over Cult Activities

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The people of Mgbuitanwo community in Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, last week, held a three- day fast and prayer programme for God to intervene in the unrelenting cult activities in the area.

Mgbuitanwo is the home town of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial candidate in Rivers East Senatorial district, Chief Andrew Uchendu, where killings and cult activities have been on the increase in recent times.

The prayer session, according to a community source, was held “for the Holy Spirit to intervene and arrest the minds of youths and sponsors of the cultists, who are terrorizing communities in he local government area and state.”

Paramount ruler of the community, Chief Ikechi Uchendu-Osi, proclaimed a suspension on all commercial activities in the area during the prayer hours for the three days. Speaking to NDV, a leader in the community, Mr. Solomon Erim, expressed hope that the prayers made within the period would help to restore peace and save souls in the community.

Read More:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/cultism-rivers-community-holds-3-day-fasting-prayers/

How Jonathan’s Govt Blew N2.2b On Prayers- Ex-NNPC Chief

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Besides the fortune sunk into phoney arms deals, no less than N2.2billion was spent on prayers against Boko Haram,  it was learnt yesterday.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration blew the cash on special prayers in Nigeria and Saudi  Arabia to win the war.

The cash was disbursed through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), following a proposal by a former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.

Baba-Kusa, in his statement of witness filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is facing trial with a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) and three others.

The others are Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited (owned by Baba-Kusa) and a former Director of Finance in ONSA, Shuaibu Salisu.

In the statement, Baba-Kusa said the N2.2billion was spent on prayers to hasten the defeat of Boko Haram.

The cash was released in two tranches of N1,450,000,000 and N750,000,000.

Baba-Kusa told EFCC investigators that the contract proposal was verbal.

But the suspect has promised to refund the N2.2billion by disposing of his assets.

Baba-Kusa said: “I approached the former NSA and discussed Boko Haram problems and I suggested there is need for prayers and he considered and accepted in 2013 when he first came to office.

“I personally sponsored many people locally and some few to Saudi Arabia. Some monies were later paid into our companies, which we paid to some of the mallams.

“I then arranged to recover my personal expense which I put into our own businesses.

“We have been spending a lot from our businesses and personal accounts. Money paid through UBA, First Bank and ECOBANK. For Acacia Holdings Limited(A/C 1017330319-UBA); ECOBANK(0122012650); and First Bank(Reliance Referral Hospitals Limited A/C 2022394057). The total amount is N2,200,000,000 from October 2014 to April 2015.”

He told detectives that he is not an expert, “but I used some of the mallams to organise in Abuja, Zaria, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Kaduna and Saudi Arabia covering 2013 to 2015.”

He added: “I give them funds as required from time to time, ranging from N500,000 to N30million, depending on their needs, traveling, sadaqat and others for local expenses and travels to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Hajj.

“I reminded the NSA many times before payments were made. We grew up together with the former NSA with common friends in ABU.

“Most of the payments in cash were meant to give out cash to people that have been organising prayers. Some transfers to Acacia to other banks were for logistics and also to some mallams in cash.”

The suspect also confirmed that the prayer contract was not documented.

He added: “The proposal made to the former NSA was not documented by him or myself. The verbal proposal to him was for prayers to overcome Boko Haram within the shortest possible time.

“The engagement for prayers by organising some people to be praying was not formally written down.

“There was no amount of money agreed on. I said to him, I will start organising, which he agreed and said he will see what he would give at a later time.

Baba-Kusa said he had an estimate of over N700million spent “from my own resources before I started to ask for money from him”. Some of these funds came from disposal of some of my land in Abuja. One in Maitama, one in Gudu and one in Guzape. The Maitama was a little over N200million; Guzape (N80m), Gudu(N18m), he told the EFCC.

But, according to him, he kept no records of the money he gave to individual Mallams organising various groups. I requested for no acknowledgement from them when I gave money to them.”

He assured the EFCC that he would refund the said cash if he is able to dispose of his landed properties.

He said: “I am making efforts to dispose of my properties in Abuja which would be over the total amount of N2.2billion. If the sales go through and the amount from the sales is made in full, I will make full payment.”

In the 19 charges against the five suspects, Baba-Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are alleged to have “between October 2014 and April 2015 in Abuja agreed to do an illegal act to wit : dishonestly receiving property to wit: an aggregate sum of N2,200,000,000 being part of the funds in the accounts of the Office of  National Security Adviser and  that the same act was fine in pursuance of the agreement among you and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”

Credit: Nation

I Need Your Prayers For Good Governance, Buhari Tells Religious Leaders

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President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with religious leaders across the country to pray for him to administer the country effectively.

President Buhari also charged religious leaders in the country to do more in supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to transform the nation by enshrining what he termed, the culture of good governance and overcoming the security challenges facing the country.

Speaking Sunday in Abuja while speaking at the Eagle Square Abuja, venue of this year’s Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah WaIkamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS Annual Convention, President Buhari stressed that religious leaders have a duty to support the government in sustaining the current peace and tranquility being enjoined across the country.

The President who spoke through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello commended the Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah WaIkamatis Sunnah for uniting the Muslim community through the preaching of Islamic tenets which stress the importance of obedience to constituted authority, good morals and the need for harmonious co-existence, adding that their efforts have greatly enhanced the unity and socio-economic development of the nation.

He said, “I urge you to continue to support this administration through prayers so that we can continue to have peace and security and above all pray for Allah’s blessings so that we can have prosperity and good governance.

“There is no doubt that what we are witnessing today is something that is very important to us as Muslims and indeed to the community and society at large. We all have a duty to continue to support the leader of this group so that he can continue to do the good things that he has been doing for over thirty years”.

Credit: Vanguard

Governor Reportedly Orders Suspension Of Prayers In Schools

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has given a directive that henceforth no public or private primary and secondary school in the state should hold morning or afternoon prayers.

The governor also directed that all teachers with effect from next year must be in suits during official hours. A letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Mrs Anne O. Odey, dated October 21, said the suspension of prayers will subsist till further notice.

The directive which was sent to all zonal heads in the state said, “the ministry hereby directs all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state to suspend all assemblies (morning and afternoon) till further notice.”

All school heads were directed to comply strictly or risk sanctions.

Credit: DailyTrust

Don’t Trek For Buhari, Pray For Him – Aide Tells Youths

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Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, an aide to president-elect Muhammadu Buhari has advised youths to pray instead of trekking for the incoming leader’s administration.

Shehu gave this advice during interview with NAN in Abuja on Monday. According to him, the incoming administration acknowledges the excitement of youths over Buhari’s election but would prefer that they channel their energies towards praying than embarking on, sometimes dangerous, journeys.

“It’s kind of overwhelming. Last week, I told youths to stay where they are, stop trekking, and pray for the incoming administration instead.

“We have a lot of challenges; light, unemployment, insecurity, and so on.

“So it is more profitable for them to stay where they are and pray instead of taking the dangerous risk of walking all the way to Abuja,” Shehu said.

On the allegation that the trekkers were ignored, Shehu said: “that is not true. Even outsiders have been bringing gifts and food for them out of goodwill.

“It is untrue that they have been ignored or starved and this is not the first batch but you know the problem with this kind of situation is that when others hear, they keep coming.”

NAN spoke to some of the trekkers and they said they had taken off at different times on the solidarity walk to the capital.

The only female among the group of 22, Lauratu Musa, said she took off from Kaduna eight days ago with her 15 year-old son, Adamu Abdullahi.

“I collected 28 goodwill letters from the various villages I lodged in on my way. This is my son, he was bitten on the way by plenty mosquitoes but we thank God we are here,” she said.

Alhaji Bulama Mustapha, the Deputy Chaiman of APC in Damaturu, told NAN on the telephone that the Youth Leader, Musbau Mohammed, “rode his bicycle from Damaturu.

“He had said from beginning that if Buhari won the election, he would ride to wherever he was to greet him and I kept in touch with him on phone all the way.”

Nwaopa Sunday said: “I’m here to strengthen relationship between the North and the East. I reside in Anambra and I trekked for 15 days.

“I visited NTA, Lokoja, Yangoji Palace and the Eze Ndi Igbo of the 19 Northern States, Uche Egenti, who gave me a solidarity letter on my way here.”

NAN reports that the trekkers, 22 in all, cut across various ages ranging from 20 to 63, and came from different parts of the country including Katsina, Kano, Adamawa, Yobe, Anambra and Kaduna States.

Jonathan Marks 5 Years In Office With Prayers

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), marked five years of taking over the leadership of Nigeria as substantive president, with prayers and thanksgiving.

The President was sworn-in on 6th May 2010 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu after the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The President dressed in light brown Agbada with matching cap, after the recitation of the National Anthem and National Pledge, shocked council members when he said there was not going to be a national prayer (the second stanza of the National Anthem), but rather two ministers close to God were to prayer for one of the members who was marking his birthday.

The surprised council members were asking each other whose birthday it was, while they were still wondering whose birthday it was, President Jonathan then asked them to guess whose birthday it was.

When none of them was forthcoming, President Jonathan then reminded them that 6th of May, 2015 marks his 5th year anniversary as substantive President.

The cabinet members broke into sumtultous clapping followed by laughter, with many nodding in appreciation.

He then nominated the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo to say the Christian prayer while the Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, the Muslim prayer.

After the national pledge, Jonathan said: “Today, we will not say the national prayer. Somebody is celebrating birthday so we will offer special prayers for him. Two very Godly people will pray, Nebo and Yuguda. Do you know the person?”

When they could not answer, he said: “On May 6, exactly five years today, I was sworn-in as substantive President.”

Credit: sunnewsonline