Over 500 clerics from various faiths, ethnicity and parts of Nigeria have gathered in Abuja for the grand finale of the 40-days prayer and fasting programme organised for the deliverance of Nigeria from evil claws this critical point of its existence.
According to Vanguard, the prayer session was organised by the National Interfaith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NIFROP).
In a statement by Sheik Ahmad Jibrin, a Co-Convener, it was disclosed that the clerics were drawn from all parts of Nigeria in solidarity to seek the face of God concerning the myriads of challenges the country is going through. Jibrin said:
“We have successfully come to the end of the 40 days’ prayer and fasting programme designed by the National Interfaith and Religious Organisations (NIFROP) to pray and fast for Nigeria for God to unite Nigerians in our quest for national unity.
“The 40 days’ prayer and fasting programme was such a huge success in that Nigerians from all ethnic and religious affiliations gathered and prayed in one voice for God’s intervention against the evil plot by some enemies of Nigeria to see to the disintegration of the country.”
Sheik Ahmad Jibrin also stated that what Nigeria needs in this critical point of its existence was prayers and supplication to God for the grace for Nigerians to see that the myriads of challenges been experienced are the handiwork of distractors who are angry with the level of growth and development in the country in the past four years.
“We have prayed and fasted and the revelations we received are indicative of the fact that Nigeria shall experience and unimaginable level of unity now and in the years ahead.”
Another cleric, Pastor Stephen Okwu, who was part of the programme said that one of the reasons they have agreed to converge for the grand finale was because of the multiple revelations on the need for all Nigerians regardless of ethnic or religious beliefs to come together and pray for Nigeria.
“We are convinced beyond doubt that God, in His infinite mercies, has indeed heard the cries of his children for people of diverse religious faiths to congregate and pray for the common good of the country.
“Those of us Christians, as well as our Muslim brothers and sisters, have constantly interacted and agreed in one voice to be a part of this historical event that the Lord Almighty in his infinite mercies has made to come to pass,” Okwu said.
Another cleric Imam Abdul Ibrahim also stated that the purpose of the gathering is to show solidarity to a noble cause towards ensuring the continued unity of Nigeria.
“The unity of Nigeria supersedes tribes and religion, and that is why you can see the large turnout of Muslims and Christians for the grand finale of the 40 days’ prayers and fasting programme in Abuja.”
“We see ourselves as Nigerians before our tribes and religions, and this is contrary to what the enemies of Nigeria want and Insha Allah they have been defeated by the large turnout of people drawn from various parts of Nigeria.”
“As you can see, the turnout is massive, and the composition is an indication that Nigerian clerics have indeed embraced this laudable initiative and that is why over 500 clerics have gathered here in Abuja.”
In his remark, Bishop Sunday Garuba, a co-convener of the 40 days’ prayer and fasting programme stated that the 40 days’ prayers and fasting programme are essentially to intercede on behalf of Nigeria for God to deliver the country from the evil that wants to see to its disintegration.
According to Garuba, the large turnout of clerics from all over Nigeria for the grand finale of the 40 days’ prayer and fasting programme is an indication that Nigerians have indeed have risen above religious sentiments to pray and fast for the unity of the country and to put to shame the evil plans of the enemies against the unity and progress of Nigeria.