Nigeria Content Online

As the nation
approaches another election year, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon
said yesterday that Nigeria’s leaders need prayers for God to direct
them on the right path.

Speaking in Benin
City during a visit to state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Mr Gowon,who
is also the converner of ‘Nigeria Prays’ said his group is in the
ancient town to pray for Nigeria and to pray particularly for its
leadership at the federal, state and local government,including
religious leaders.

“We will also pray
for the country and the well-being of the people. We will pray for the
leadership that God will guide them right to do the right things for
the people,” he said. “We are going round to sensitise the people and
ask them to join us. I assure you that the body of conveners of
‘Nigeria Prays’ appreciate what you have been doing and hope that God
will answer our prayers and wish you well in everything you do.” Mr
Oshiomhole said it is true that Nigeria needs a lot of prayers to
confront the myriad of challenges facing it.“I believe in what you are
doing sir. First is the fact that being out of office does not mean you
cannot find an enviable role to play.

Outside governance,
you have continued to impact very positively on the lives of the people
and you have continued to inspire us to recognise that we can all carve
a role for ourselves,” he said. “Secondly, there is no question in my
mind that Nigeria needs a lot of prayers for God to redirect the
thoughts of Nigerian leaders and give them courage and wisdom.”

People’s leaders

The governor
stated further that power belongs to God and the power ,leaders
exercise is on behalf of the people and can only be justified when it
is used to touch the lives of the people positively.

“At this time in
Edo State, we are facing a lot of challenges including some of our
people who have resorted to criminal activities including kidnapping.
We must continue to enforce the law and pray that the good Lord touches
their hearts to recognise that whatever challenges they face cannot be
resolved through criminal acts,” he said.

Mr Oshiomhole acknowledged that there is need for citizens to rise and challenge leaders to keep their promises.

While identifying with ‘Nigeria Prays’, Mr Oshiomhole thanked Mr
Gowon for the programme and expressed the hope that the nation would
benefit immensely from it.