First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu will lead a national prayer session aimed at addressing Nigeria’s numerous challenges.
The initiative, coordinated with Christian and Muslim religious leaders, seeks divine intervention for the country’s social, economic, and security crises under the theme ‘Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.’
Chief Segun Balogun Afolorunikan, Director General of the National Prayer Forum (NPF), announced the event in Abuja, emphasising the need for unity in overcoming Nigeria’s difficulties.
According to Afolorunikan, this interfaith gathering is a communal response, with the goal of instilling resilience in residents and pushing leaders to find long-term solutions for the country’s stability.
The sessions will last a week, with Muslims gathering at the National Mosque to recite the Qur’an, resulting in 2,191 recitations dedicated to national peace.
Concurrently, Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre, with prayer warriors from all denominations focusing on Nigeria’s present challenges.
As part of the preparations, NPF leaders have met with the National Mosque, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and significant traditional figures such as the Sultan of Sokoto to assure widespread participation and support.
Organisers anticipate that the prayer sessions will instill a renewed sense of purpose and stability as Nigeria approaches 2025.
Afolorunikan explained, “Unity is crucial for finding lasting solutions. By the end of this prayer session, we believe that with God’s wisdom, our leaders and citizens will find the strength to confront our common enemies.
“The prayer sessions will take place at significant venues: Muslims will gather at the National Mosque in Abuja for seven days, during which 313 individuals will recite the Qur’an, culminating in the recitation of the Holy Text 2,191 times for national stability.
“Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week of intense prayer, with prayer warriors from various denominations focusing their efforts on the nation’s adversities.
“Extensive outreach had been conducted, including meetings with leaders from the National Mosque, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and traditional leaders such as the Sultan of Sokoto.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
