Gov sues for peace, unity as group organises prayer for Ogun, Nigeria

OGUN State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on Nigerians and particularly religious bodies to shun acts capable of causing strain among the various ethnic groups in the country and embrace love, peace and unity at all times.

The governor made the call at a special prayer organised for the peace and stability of Nigeria by the Sa’adatul Abadiyya Organisation of Nigeria, Abeokuta, Ogun State branch.

Prince Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said his administration believed in the efficacy of prayers  and underscored the importance of peace without which, he said, growth and development would be difficult or even impossible to achieve.

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According to a statement signed by the Press Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor, Oluwaseun Boye, the governor said: “Nigerians need to change their bad attitudes. People can pray but if they have wrong attitudes and beliefs, it counters prayers. Greediness, disobedient and other immoral behaviours are counter-productive to prayers. So, Nigerians have to moderate their behaviours to make sure that things they do are in line with their prayers.”

In his welcome address, the Abeokuta branch chairman of Sa’adatul Abadiyya Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Mudashiru Oguntade, said the importance of prayer at a time like this could not be overemphasised.

He stressed the need to offer prayers on a daily basis as individuals and families to address various issues such as kidnapping, robbery, rape and other crimes which have become across the country.

The representative of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Secretary-General of the council, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, implored Muslims to shun acts capable of causing disaffection among the people, warning that prayer could not be effective in an atmosphere of sins and rancour.

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Gbagura, Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, attributed most challenges confronting the country to disobedience to God’s injunction, greed, disunity, injustice and inability to embrace peace with one another.

Nigerian Tribune