About 1,789 pilgrims from Niger observed special prayers for the state and Nigeria in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The pilgrims specifically prayed for an end to the problems of banditry, kidnapping, hunger and other related vices bedevilling the country.
Executive Secretary Niger Pilgrims Welfare Board ,Umar Makun Lapai, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) on Sunday in Minna.
” We prayed for peace, national unity and economic prosperity of our country,” he said.
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Lapai, who also urged Nigerians to embrace repentance, emphasised that “Nigeria is in need of prayers to confront its challenges”.
” Supported by other Islamic clerics, I led the prayer session after the Tawaf (circumambulation round the Kaabah) and offered special prayers to Allah, seeking divine intervention to end the senseless killings going on in some parts of our state and the entire country.
” We also prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Abubakar Bello for peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
” Prayers remain the only viable option needed in bringing an end to the current security challenges which had continued unabated.
” We will continue to use the remaining days we have in Saudi Arabia to pray fervently for God’s intervention in our national affairs,” he said.
Lapai said that all pilgrims from the state were hale and hearty and would be moving to Madina from Mecca for some visitation any moment from then.
He commended the pilgrims for demonstrating high sense of moral conduct during and after the Hajj in the holy land.
Lapai called on Nigerians at home to intensify prayers for the current administration’s fight against corruption, kidnapping, militancy and cattle rustling.
He said that the prayers of the governed would pave way for God’s intervention in the nation’s affairs for peace, progress and political stability.
He also called on Nigerians to shun sentiments and support the government to move the country out of its present predicament.
“Nigerians must assist the government and security agencies to tackle other crisis situations in the country to ensure peace, progress and political stability”, he said. (NAN)
