COVID-19: Etsu Nupe directs religious leaders to intensify prayers

COVID-19: Etsu Nupe directs religious leaders to intensify prayers

Prayers

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Bida (Niger), April 1, 2020 (NAN) The Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional rulers, Dr Yahaya Abubakar, has directed religious leaders in the Emirate to intensify prayers seeking God’s forgiveness and end to the coronavirus pandemic.

Abubakar gave the directive at his Wadata Palace in Bida when he addressed a cross section of Imams and other religious leaders from across the emirate on Wednesday.

“It is on this note that I directed the Chief Imam of Nupe kingdom, Ustaz Adamu Liman-Yakatun, to commence the offering and recitation of 165 million Istigfar (repentance) in my domain to seek God’s face in ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have directed the Chief Imam of the emirate, Ustaz Liman-Yakatum to share the special offering of 165 million Istigfar to all the Imams and Islamic scholars in the entire emirate,” he said.

He said prayers were the most potent weapon to use in times of any hardship such as the current ravaging coronavirus pandemic.

The traditional ruler also urged Nigerians to turn to God and seek for forgiveness amid the global pandemic.

According to him, calamities such as the COVID-19, the world is witnessing now, were predestined by the Almighty Allah.

“Therefore, whenever any calamity befalls any society or community, they should hasten to God for Him to have mercy and pity on them.

“As pious and faithful servant of God, we are strongly optimistic that He will accept our prayers and shower His blessings and protections to all of us while He will also, Insha Allah, halt the pandemic. (NAN)

BAB/ESAN/AMY

Edited by Abiodun Esan and Abdullahi Yusuf