ABUJA (Women Affairs Ministry Report)
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina on Wednesday June 4, 2014 in Abuja led inter-faith national prayers to call for the release of the abducted Chibok school girls.
The event which was jointly anchored by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor (Pastor) and the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Musa Mohammed (Sheikh) was attended by thousands of women, religious faithfuls and school children.
The Minster of Women Affairs while speaking at the event said that the intercession was organized to compliment the efforts of the Federal Government towards rescuing the abducted girls, following the emerging threats to national security and unity.
She said: “It is pertinent to note that the emerging threats to our national security and unity have motivated this response. We strongly believe in the efficacy of prayers to God on behalf of our girls and for the restoration of peace and harmony in our nation. The prayer session aims to galvanize national support for peace and security as well as sustain the momentum and continued support for the release of the girls.”
“We are also gathering to pray for all men and women in uniform who toil daily and at all times pay the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that peace reigns in the country.”
Zainab Maina decried the terror meted against citizens, adding that the recent abduction of girls is painful and discourages them from going to school. She stated that everyone must denounce the activities of terrorists in Nigeria as their actions have destabilized the society. She pointed out that they have brutalized people, many of whom are women and children.
According to her, aside from directly traumatizing Nigerians, the employment of terror against Nigerian citizens, particularly the present abduction has inflicted pain on the psyche of young female folks to the extent that they have become afraid of going to school. She added that the present administration is resolute and committed to promoting education, saying it is a tool for national development.
While welcoming the present administration’s ‘safer school initiative’ and indicating that security and stability are necessary for any meaningful development, she intensified that security and stability require the integration of all groups in the society which should engage in a process of self-examination that would bring about a common purpose and common action to stamp out terror in the country. The Minister prayed that the girls would be released early and in good health as a collective desire. She also noted the need for Nigerians to pray and encourage the Goodluck Jonathan administration to remain steadfast in its efforts to restore peace to the country.
Ayo Oritsejafor, who was represented by the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Chapter of CAN, Isreal Akanji (Pastor) inferred that the Boko Haram members may lock up everywhere, but would not stop God from intervening for the girls. He explained that even without knowing what is happening, God will bring them out.
“The light will shine upon Nigeria. The light of God will prevail upon darkness and the power of God will come down and intercede on behalf of the girls,” he exhorted. While reading from Hebrews 13:3 and Acts 12:5, Oritsejafor likened the case of the abducted girls to that Peter the Apostle, who was released from prison through constant prayers.
The CAN President further said that a spiritual remote control would work on behalf of the girls as the iron gate would open for them. “Mothers are praying and sisters are crying, O Lord, we pray – touch their hearts to release our girls in Jesus name,” he stated.
The Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Musa Mohammed during his reflection begged for forgiveness of the sins of Nigerians so that the girls can be released.
In her prayers at the occasion, the Women’s Leader of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Raliat Akinbobola (Alhaja), prayed Allah to console the parents of the abducted girls.
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