From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon has charged Nigerians to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country, saying that Nigeria needs prayers more than ever before.
Gowon who decried the rising rate of criminal acts in the country, urged Nigerians to continue to intercede for the country.
The former Head of State who is the convener of “Nigeria Prays,” while speaking at a one-day national prayer rally organized by the South-West zone of the organisation in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, said the rising crime rate among youths in the country called for serious spiritual intervention.
He urged Christians in the country to pray against all forms of criminal acts and bloodshed among other criminal acts ravaging the country.
Gowon, who addressed the gathering virtually said “Let us bring before God Nigeria’s problems and challenges, especially, the general kidnapping, murder, banditry, political and socioeconomic problems, religious and many others.
“Lord, we call for your intervention in the affairs of our nation. Hear our prayers and redeem Nigeria from all our troubles. We pray that you bring an end to the various challenges in the South-West zone and the entire nation.
“We pray especially for all our leadership at all levels. Forgive our trespasses and transgressions as people and a nation.
“The senseless bloodshed and killings in the past and present, arising from banditry, insurgency and all forms of criminality are taking place in various parts of the country at the moment.
“We decry the rising rate of crimes among our youths and citizens. Lord, have mercy on us. Heal us individually and collectively,” he prayed.
While praying for the political leaders in the country, Gowon said, “We pray in particular for President Bola Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and all members of government and their families. We intercede for all the governors and their deputies, the legislatures – national and state, the judiciary, local government chairmen and elders in councils.
In his remarks, the Osun State Coordinator of ‘Nigeria Prays,’ Rev Adebomi, who commended the large turnout of participants at the event, urged Nigerians to keep praying against the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.
