First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has denied any link to a weeklong National Prayer Forum called in response to the myriad challenges facing Nigeria especially the economic hardships the citizens are going through.
A report on Monday said that the First Lady and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, are to lead the national prayer sessions.
On Saturday, Busola Kukoyi, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media to the First Lady said in a statement that “the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.”
But Chief Segun Balogun Afolorunikan, Director General of the National Prayer Forum (NPF), who announced the prayer initiative in Abuja, said it will have as theme “Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs” and was being organised in collaboration with both Christian and Muslim leaders towards seeking divine intervention in the nation’s ongoing crises.
Stating the importance of collective action in overcoming the country’s multifaceted challenges, he highlighted that unity is crucial for finding lasting solutions.
“By the end of this prayer session, we believe that with God’s wisdom, our leaders and citizens will find the strength to confront our common enemies,” Afolorunikan stated, expressing hope that Nigeria would enter 2025 with renewed purpose and stability.
According to him, the prayer sessions will take place at significant venues: Muslims will gather at the National Mosque in Abuja for seven days, during which 313 individuals will recite the Qur’an, culminating in the recitation of the Holy text 2,191 times for national stability.
Meanwhile, Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week of intense prayer, with prayer warriors from various denominations focusing their efforts on the nation’s adversities.
Afolorunikan noted that extensive outreach had been conducted, including meetings with leaders from the National Mosque, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and traditional leaders such as the Sultan of Sokoto.
The First Lady’s Spokesperson, denying any link to the national prayer session, said in the statement: “This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON is not organizing a National Prayer.
“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms are unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.
“Whilst the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly, she also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue.
“Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of any news or event involving the First Lady of Nigeria or her Office through Official channels.”
