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General news

JNI, CAN call for prayers against coronavirus spread

Compliance
By Ibrahim Kado
Balanga (Gombe) April 2, 2020 (NAN) Jamatul Nasiril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have jointly called for prayers against the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The two faith-based organisations have also advised Nigerians to compliance with government’s directives on what they should do to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further.

The groups made the call on Thursday during an awareness campaign visit to traditional rulers in Cham and Dadiya Chiefdoms in Balanga Local Government Area of the state the by the Task Force committee on the Coronavirus.

Alhaji Sale Danburam, Secretary JNI and member of the committee said that prayers and compliance with government directives would go a long way toward stopping the spread of the virus.

According to him, people need to understand that the virus is really spreading and killing people, hence the need for the public to pray for God to intervene.

“As Muslims whatever happens we submit it to Almighty God and we have our weapon which is prayers.

“We urge you to pray for us not to have the virus in the state and for those infected to recover.

“Government has done its own part and our own is to comply for all of us to succeed,” he said.

Danburam commended the state government for its commitment to the fight against the spread of the virus.

Mr Samuel Bulus, Vice Chairman of CAN and member of the committee also urged people to support government to save lives, ensure peace and development of the state.

Bulus said because of the virus, church services had been suspended except on Sunday on which day “worshipers must not be more than 50 persons at a time”.

He advised those with small Churches not to congregate more than 20 people and to provide water, soap, and sanitisers for good hygiene against the spread of the virus.

He emphasised the need to observe social distancing during funerals, marriages, and other gatherings that are necessary.

The Christian leader lauded the efforts of the state government in the fight against the spread of the virus.

On their part, the traditional rulers commended the state governor Inuwa Yahaya for the measures put in place by his administration to contain the spread of the virus.

They pledged to communicate to their subjects, government’s directives on what they should do to stop the spread of the virus. (NAN)

IMK/ECN/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Emmanuel Yashim

General news

Arafat: Gbajabiamila urges Nigerian pilgrims to pray for country

Arafat: Gbajabiamila urges Nigerian pilgrims to pray for country
Appeal
By Dada Ahmed
Arafat
Muna (Makkah), Aug. 9, 2019 (NAN) Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, House of Representatives, has urged Nigerian pilgrims to offer special prayers for the country as they join millions of Muslims across the globe to observe the Arafat on Saturday.
The speaker gave the advice in a statement issued by Mr Lanre Lasisi, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in Muna, Saudi Arabia, on Friday.
He expressed optimism that with prayers, Nigeria could move to the next level the current administration yearned for.
“I want to urge all our pilgrims to pray for the unity of Nigeria. We need the prayers because the government is not relenting as it is striving to make life better for the citizens.
“We also need to pray for the general wellbeing of all Nigerians. Arafat is a special day that Allah answers prayers. Therefore, I call on Nigerian pilgrims to utilise the opportunity.
“The importance of prayers in the life of man cannot be overemphasised. That is why we have to assist our leaders with prayers,” he said.
The speaker commended Nigerians on pilgrimage in the holy land for their upright conduct so far and abstinence from activities capable of bringing disrepute to the country.
Gbajabiamila also called on Nigerian Muslims at home, who will observe fasting on the Day of Arafat, to use the opportunity and pray for the country.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Muna reports that almost all the 45,500 pilgrims and the 18,000 other Nigerian pilgrims who came to the holy land through private tour operators have been transported to Muna.
They are expected to begin a three-day Hajj rite on Friday, leading to Arafat on July 10. (NAN)
DUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Emir of Gwandu urges national prayers for peace, progress

Emir of Gwandu urges national prayers for peace, progress
By Tatu Shuaibu
Prayers
Birnin Kebbi, Aug. 8, 2019 (NAN) Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, the Emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, has called on Nigerians to offer special prayers for peace and progress in the country.
Bashar made the appeal on Thursday during a prayer session held at Abdullahi Fodio Palace, Birnin Kebbi.
“Prayers have become necessary, considering the security situation facing, not only our country, but the world, at large.
“Everyone must have to continue praying and doing the right thing for the country to get better,” the first class traditional ruler said.
He also called on the people to continue to pray for divine intervention for things to get better for the country in all ramifications.
Bashar said that prayers remained the key to the resolution of the country’s numerous socio-economic, political and security challenges.
He tasked parents on their responsibilities in ensuring sound moral upbringing of their children and wards to be useful to the society. (NAN)
SZT/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

We can’t wait to pray at Arafat- Pilgrims

By Dada Ahmed
Arafat
Makkah, July 7, 2019 (NAN) Nigerian pilgrims now in Makkah, warming to begin their last and critical segment of the annual religious rites on Friday in Muna, said they were prepared, spiritually and psychologically, to accomplish acceptable Hajj.

The pilgrims,in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah on Wednesday, said they had been enlightened on the do’s and don’s of performing Hajj while at Muna.

Muna is a suburb of Makkah where mount Arafat is located and about 1.8 million pilgrims from across the nations of the world are expected to stay there for three days, praying and asking for forgiveness of sin, among other rites.

Messrs Abdullahi Shehu, Mohammed Bawa, AbdulKadir Ahmad, Najeem Olawale among other pilgrims, told NAN that they could not wait to move to Arafat.

“By His grace, I am hoping to carry out the remaining religious rites in Muna and pray close to Arafat.

“I believe that prayer offered, with sincerity of purpose close to Arafat has much potency of being accepted by almighty Allah,” Bawa said.

“Besides using the golden opportunity to pray for myself and my family, I will also pray for peace and development in Nigeria,” Ahmad said.

Contributing, a cleric, Alhaji Tajudee Omotola, one of the religious leaders guiding the pilgrims, admonished them to address their minds squarely to the significance of the last aspect of their religious rites in Muna.

He said this they could do by engaging in constant prayers and getting closer to almighty Allah.

“As mortals, we have all sinned in one way or the other, therefore, it becomes incumbent on us as pilgrims at Arafat to ask for forgiveness of sin, Allah’s mercy, peace and development of Nigeria.

He promised continued preaching to the pilgrims at Muna on the need to be God-fearing and allow the lessons of Hajj permeate their lives when they returned to Nigeria.

A correspondent of NAN reports that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi authorities have been up and doing to ensure a hitch-free Hajj.

The commission has transported over 44,000 pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, in addition to 18,000 pilgrims who came to the holy land through tour operators.

Saudi authorities have also introduced electronic system in Muna to monitor movement to ensure safety of pilgrims.

No fewer than 1.8 million pilgrims from all over the world, are performing this year Hajj in Saudi Arabia. (NAN)
DUA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Ramadan: Nasarawa governor-elect urges prayers for country, leaders

Ramadan: Nasarawa governor-elect urges prayers for country, leaders

By Awayi Kuje
Prayers
Lafia, May 7, 2019 (NAN) Mr Abdullahi Sule, the Nasarawa State governor-elect, has called for special prayers for peace, unity and progress of the country during and after the Ramadan.

Sule made the appeal on Tuesday while hosting a delegation of Karu community, from Karu Local Government Area of the state, in his campaign office in Lafia.

He said that peace is panacea to the development of any society, hence the need for his call, adding that no society will achieve meaningful progress without peace and unity.

He commended the delegation for identifying with him over his victory at the governorship poll, while assuring them that he will not fail in his responsibilities as the state governor.

Sule also assured them that he would focus on the development of Karu Local Government Area considering its proximity to the Federal Captiatal Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Besides, he told the delegation that he would fulfill his campaign promises in order to improve on the standard of living of the people of the state.

The governor-elect therefore called on the people of the state to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at both the federal and state levels in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Earlier, Mr Victor Terrah, the state Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, who is also the leader of the delegation, said that the visit was to congratulate Sule on his victory at the governorship poll.

Terrah wished him success and prayed for him to officially assumed office on May 2019.

The Chairman of Karu LGA, Mr Samuel Akala, appealed to the governor-elect to consider members of the area in his administration.

Akala promised to give adequate attention to the protection of life and property.

He also pledged his readiness to key into people’s oriented projects in order to better the lives of the people of the area. (NAN)
AKW/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

APC prays for safety of leaders ahead of elections

APC prays for safety of leaders ahead of elections

By Emmanuel Mogbede
Prayers
Abuja,Feb.2,2019(NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) has prayed for the safety of its leaders and general progress of the country ahead of the coming elections.

Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, also thanked God for delivering Vice President Yemi Osinbajo from an air accident.

The Vice President’s chopper in which he was traveling, crashed landed at Kabba, Kogi State, where he had gone for the APC #NextLevel engagements ahead of the elections.

“The party prays for continuous safety of our leaders and general progress of our great country.

“We thank God our Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is safe and sound along with his aides following his involvement in an helicopter accident,”Issa-Onilu said.

He also congratulated Osinbajo, who is an alumnus of Igbobi College on the institution’s 87 founders day anniversary being marked today.

Earlier, Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity in the Office of the Vice President in a statement, said Osibanjo continued engaging the people of the state on the Next Level plan of the Buhari administration after the incident.

“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has arrived Kabba, Kogi State today. His Chopper had crash landed after a landing incident, but everyone is safe,” Akande said. (NAN)
EEM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

2019: Nasarawa Speaker urges special prayers for successful polls

2019: Nasarawa Speaker urges special prayers for successful polls
By Awayi Kuje
Prayers
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has urged Muslims to use the Sallah period to offer special prayers for hitch-free elections in 2019.
Abdullahi made the call in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Jibrin Gwamna, in Keffi on Tuesday.
The speaker said that fervent prayers by Muslims and other Nigerians would not only ensure a successful poll in 2019, but would also promote peace and unity in the country.
“There is the need for all to guard against hate speeches; let’s do the right thing and intensify prayers for a hitch-free general election and for the emergence of leaders that will deliver for the people,’’ he said.
Abdullahi called on religious, political and traditional leaders to preach for peace and unity among their people as 2019 general elections draw nearer.
“I want to congratulate Muslims and other Nigerians on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Let all of us use this period to pray fervently for the successful conduct of 2019 general elections.
“Let use this period to reconcile with ourselves and God in case we offended each other and God in the interest of peace in order to get more God blessings and favour,” the speaker said.
He enjoined Muslim faithful to use the Sallah period to show love to both Muslims and non-Muslims, especially the less privileged in order to give them a sense of belonging.
Abdullahi, who commended developmental projects executed by President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa State, also called on citizens to continue to pray and support them to succeed.
The speaker re-assured the people of the state that the legislature would continue to enact laws and pass resolutions that would be in the best interest of the people of the state.
He solicited for support to enable them succeed and further called on the citizens, especially youths to be law abiding, peaceful and remain committed to constituted authorities. (NAN)
AKW/ADA/MST
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Eid-el-Kabir: Guber aspirant urges special prayers against hate speech

By Awayi Kuje
Hate
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 21, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Dauda Kigbu, a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, has called for special prayers against hate speeches to promote peace, unity and progress.

Kigbu made this appeal in a statement on Tuesday in Keffi in his message to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He also enjoined political, traditional and religious leaders to preach the message of peace to their followers for national development.

“Let us use the Eid-El-Kabir to continue to pray fervently for peace and progress of the country as well as for the successful conduct of the 2019 general election.

“Let us use this Sallah period to preach against hate speeches as it is inimical to societal development.

“It is only when we shun hate speeches, stay in peace and tolerate one another that there will be speedy development in the country,” he said.

Besides, Kigbu enjoined Muslims to use the festive occasion to support the less privileged to improve on their standard of living as well as give them a sense of belonging.

He felicitated with the Muslim community on the event and prayed Allah to grant Nigerians and the country more prosperity.

Kigbu, however, urged the Muslim Ummah to also use the period to reconcile with God and their fellow human beings to enhance love and harmony for the benefit of the nation. (NAN)
AKW/VOE/MST/YEMI
Edited by Vivian Emoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Bank robbery: Offa Muslim community holds special prayer

Bank robbery: Offa Muslim community holds special prayer
Prayer
Offa (Kwara), April 8, 2018 (NAN) The Muslim Community in Offa, Kwara, on Sunday organised a special prayer to ward-off unforeseen calamity and to attract unity, peace and socio-economic development into the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the prayer held at the Offa Central mosque may not be unconnected with the recent armed robbery attack in the community.
It would be recalled that some armed bandits had on Thursday raided five commercial banks in the town, killing some policemen and residents, and carted away undisclosed amount of cash in the process.
The prayer, led by the Deputy Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Qosim Olatunji, witnessed recitation from the holy Qur’an and other supplications by selected Qur’anic students whose ages are not above 10 years.
Olatunji said the prayer was intended to seek God’s adequate protection of life and property for the indigenes and non-indigenes, economic prosperity and peaceful co-existence among the people.
He described the recent bank robbery in the community as one which required the collective responsibility of every stakeholder, especially through prayers to nip such crime in the bud.
“Our prayer is to seek Almighty Allah’s protection, unity, peace and tranquility in our dear community, Offa, the state and the country in general.
“More importantly, we prayed Allah in His infinite mercy to unravel the perpetrators as well as their collaborators of this dastardly act,” he said.
Alhaji Nojim Yasin, the President, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), said the prayer had been a continuous exercise for the safety and unity of the community.
Yasin, who was accompanied by Hajia Wosilat McCarthy, General Secretary, Offa Descendants Union, implored the authority to find a lasting solution to the menace of bank robberies in parts of the country.
“This is a calamity and we have no other thing than prayer, that is why we have put prayers first for the unity and safety of the people of our community,” he said. (NAN)
ISHO/FAT/MST
Edited by Fatima Sule/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Ramadan: NGO urges Muslims to pray for Buhari’s quick recovery

Ramadan: NGO urges Muslims to pray for Buhari’s quick recovery

NAN-H-90

By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), May 25, 2017 (NAN) The Modibbo Haruna Buhari Charity Organisation (BCO), Abuja, an NGO, has appealed to Muslims to offer special prayers during the Ramadan fasting period for the quick recovery and return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Modibbo Suleiman-Masaka, the National Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the organisation, made the call on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

He said Buhari’s quick recovery would help him to deliver more dividends of democracy to the citizens.

“Prayers remain key to the success of every individual and government.

“There is need for Nigerians to continue praying for the sound and good health of President Buhari to enable him succeed in delivery more dividends of democracy to the citizens,’’ he said.

Suleiman-Masaka also appealed to Nigerians to always pray for the good health of leaders rather than curse them or wish them death.

According to him, Ramadan is a period for Muslims and mankind should draw closer to Almighty Allah for forgiveness and blessings.

“Praying for our leaders will bring more good things and will also bring peace, unity and national development,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the peaceful co-existence of the country irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.

Suleiman-Masaka said his organisation aimed at promoting peace, unity and progress in the country.

“As a national chairman of BOT of this organisation and a Nigerian, what we always preach to the people is peace and the need for Nigerians to avoid inciting comments and refrain from making provocative statements.

“Because peace is panacea, non-negotiable and is the necessary requirement for the development of any society.

“It is in view of this that I appeal to Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to use the Ramadan fasting to continue to pray for the good health and safe return of our President Buhari,” he said.

Besides, he advised Nigerians especially youths to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, avoid negative tendencies and support the government at all levels in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

NAN reports that Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar in which one of the five pillars of Islam is practiced.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has asked Muslims to look out for the month from Friday and report its sighting to the nearest religious leader or traditional ruler in their community.

The community leaders are expected to transmit such verified information to the council for further announcement to commence the 29 or 30 days fasting.

It is compulsory for all Muslims to fast during the month except the sick, pregnant and nursing women, the aged and others with special cases. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola