NSCIA commends Nigerians, VP Osinbajo

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed gratitude to Allah for the safe return of President Muhammdu Buhari from his vacation and medical leave.

The NSCIA, in a statement by its Director of Administration, Ustaz Christian Isa Okonkwo, commended the passion displayed by Nigerians in their prayers throughout the period of the president’s medical leave and described this as a display of utmost patriotism and high sense of humaneness.

“We also commend His Excellency, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on the high sense of leadership responsibility and wisdom he used in piloting the affairs of the country as the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the absence of the president.

“We pray unto Allah to bestow upon the president, sound health, wisdom, strength and leadership prowess and astuteness to be able to drive the course of this country to achieve meaningful development and socio-economic prosperity.

“The council wishes to use this medium to call on all Nigerians to continue to be prayerful, law abiding and promote the spirit of peaceful coexistence among one another,” the council said.

Meanwhile, THE Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has urged Nigerians to pray for and be sympathetic to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking with journalists after a thanksgiving/prayer he organised for the president for his safe return from vacation, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari said the event centred on seeking God’s guidance, protection and sound health for the president in piloting affairs of the country.

The prayer, which was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, was attended by scores of Islamic clerics, as well as Chief of Staff to the Kwara State governor, Abdulwahab Babatunde.

The Emir, who spoke through the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Woru Mohammed, said Nigerians had a duty to pray for their leaders.

“The Emir has organised this special prayer with the approval of the state government. The prayer is based mainly on three things for the president, and they are: God’s protection, God’s guidance and for Almighty God to continue to provide him with sound health in piloting the affairs of this country.

“The president is working tirelessly for the betterment of the country. He deserves our prayers and our sympathy. He does not deserve our crucifixion. God wants us to say good things about our leaders”, Mohammed said.