National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Alhaji Isah Mohammed, yesterday led thousands of women, religious faithful and secondary school children in prayers for the release of the over 200 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
The prayers were organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, said the intercessory session was put together to compliment the efforts of the Federal Government to rescue the abducted Chibok girls, following the emerging threats to national security and unity.
She said: “The prayer session aims to galvanise 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 peace reigns in the country”.
Mrs. Maina used the occasion to stress the need for Nigerians to pray and encourage the Goodluck Jonathan administration to remain steadfast in its efforts to restore peace to the country.
She noted that the activities of the Boko Haram sect had destabilised the country.
“They have brutalised our people, many of them women and children”, she said.
Oritsejafor, who was represented by the chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of CAN, Pastor Isreal Akanji, said: “The Boko Haram members can lock up everywhere but they cannot stop God from entering the girls. 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”.
Reading from Hebrews 13: 3 and Acts 12: 5, Oritsejafor said the case of the abducted girls could be likened to the case of Peter, who was released from prison through constant prayers.
The CAN president said a spiritual remote control would work on behalf of the girls as the iron-gate would open for them.
He said: “Mothers are praying, sisters are crying. O Lord, we pray: touch their hearts to release our girls in Jesus name”.
Imam Mohammed begged for forgiveness of sins on behalf of Nigerians so that the girls can be released.
It was learnt that the programme was attended by women from various churches and mosques, school children, among others.
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