former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has described prayer as a formidable weapon that can solve the nation’s many challenges better and faster.
Gowon said this in Ibadan on Sunday
evening at a one-day prayer rally organised by the South-West Zone of a
non-denominational religious group – ‘Nigeria Prays’.
The prayer campaign, which had gone round the country in the last 20 years, is spearheaded by Gowon.
It is the longest campaign in Nigeria to
mobilise people for regular, fervent and result-oriented prayers for
the healing and transformation of the country.
‘Nigeria Prays’ is also a project aimed
at promoting the virtues of patriotism, transparency, integrity and
incorruptibility in leadership, governance and in the entire citizenry.
At the rally held at the Rehoboth
Cathedral, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, Gowon commended the people for their
usual support for the programme, and added that their prayers would
never be in vain.
He said, “And I can say this with every
authority that prayer can solve problems better and faster than generals
and soldiers can do with physical weapons of war.
“I have no doubt in my heart that God
will honour our collective prayer and intercession for our dear nation
and heal our nation of all challenges facing her.”
The rally prayed for Nigeria, Its leaders at all levels and arms of government, and the people in general.
It also prayed for peace in the country,
economic emancipation and for the rejuvenation of all the various
sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State
commended Gowon for the initiative, saying it was a mission aimed at
promoting the virtues of transparency, incorruptibility, integrity and
fellowship.
He said that Nigerians were the most
religious people in the world but extremely ungodly, adding that
societies always get the leaders they deserved.
The governor called for attitudinal change. He said that prayer without hard work would not solve the problems of the country.
He said, “It is not enough to pray, but to walk the talk. ‘Nigeria prays’ is a better initiative for the Nigerian project.
“For government to succeed, the followership must support,” he said.
Ajimobi described Gowon as a very godly
man who had always served humanity diligently, having piloted Nigeria
through turbulent times at a young age.
In his views, Bishop Joseph Akinfenwa,
the Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Ibadan Diocese, said there
were lots of controversies in the country, and that the nation had never
been so divided.
He described Nigeria as a nation
currently witnessing the struggle for its soul, adding that God would
never surrender the country to the devil.
He said, “We have to be careful of how
we interpret and react to the Nigerian situation. Our prayers and
attitude must be connected as we pray for divine visitation on Nigeria.
“We should ensure that our confession does not contradict our demands and prayers.”
The event was also attended by Bishop
Taiwo Adelakun, Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Oyo
State Chapter and Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, the State Chairman, Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN).
NAN
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