Interdenominational prayers were on Wednesday held in Ife, Osun State, by the leaders of the All Progressives Congress to seek the face of God in a legal battle between Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the People’s Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The prayers session, which was held in front of the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, was officiated by both Islamic and Christian clerics who prayed for the success of Oyetola at the Supreme Court.
Clerics were drawn from all parts of Ife Federal Constituency, which comprises Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South for the event, which lasted more than five hours.
The APC leaders in attendance include former Deputy Governor Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin, former Minister of Water Resources Alhaji Bashir Awotorebo, former Osun State Commissioner for Culture and Home Affairs Sikiru Aiyedun and a retired Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole.
Others are Mr. Molade Binuyo, Mr. Kole Akinrinade, Ipoola Binuyo, Kunle Oyatomi, Mr. Kola Olabisi and some local government council and party chairmen from the federal constituency.
Tag: prayers
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Osun guber: APC leaders organise special interdenominational prayers for Oyetola’s victory at S'Court
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Osun election dispute: Await S’Court verdict with prayers, Adeleke tells supporters
The People’s Democratic Party’s candidate for September 22, 2018 governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has called on his supporters to prayerfully and peacefully await verdict of the Supreme Court on the governorship tussle.
A statement by his media consultant, Olumide Lawal, said as a man at peace with himself, he would want his teeming supporters to remain calm and hold the progress of Osun-State dear to their hearts.
Expressing hope, he said that by the special grace of God and judicial process, economic prosperity beckons on Osun-State.
Adeleke also enjoined the people of Osun State to be rest sure that he will not disappoint them “when eventually, through the grace of god and instrumentally of the judiciary” emerge victorious after the Supreme Court judgement scheduled for July 5.
He advised his supporters to discountenance the utterances of the opposition “in their bid to whip up sentiments and lower their spirits.”
According to him, he had passed through the crucible and fire and came out untainted, saying “this has prepared me solidly for the task of serving humanity without bias, ill-wind or grudge towards anybody as a God-fearing man, brought up in total humility and milk of human kindness in his veins to serve the less-privileged and physically disadvantaged people in the society.”
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49 killed, 20 injured as gunman opens fire on Mosque during prayers
A gunman killed 49 people and wounded more than 20 during Friday prayers at two New Zealand mosques in the country’s worst ever mass shooting which Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, condemned as terrorism.
A gunman broadcast live footage on Facebook of the attack on one mosque in the city of Christchurch, mirroring the carnage played out in video games, after publishing a “manifesto” in which he denounced immigrants.
New Zealand was placed on its highest security threat level, Mr Ardern said.
It added that four people in police custody, three men and one woman, held extremist views but had not been on any police watch lists.
The visiting Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at one of the mosques when the shooting started but all members were safe, a team coach said.
Police Commissioner, Mike Bush said 49 people had been killed at two mosques and one man in his late 20s charged with murder.
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” Mr Ardern said.
The video footage widely circulated on social media, apparently taken by a gunman and posted online live as the attack unfolded, showed him driving to one mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside.
Worshippers, possibly dead or wounded, lay huddled on the floor, the video showed. Reuters was unable to confirm the authenticity of the footage.
One man who said he was at the Al-Noor mosque told media the gunman was white, blond and wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest.
The man burst into the mosque as worshippers were kneeling for prayers.
“He had a big gun … he came and started shooting everyone in the mosque, everywhere,” said the man, Ahmad Al-Mahmoud.
He said that he and others escaped by breaking through a glass door.
All mosques in New Zealand had been asked to shut their doors, police said.
The killings were condemned by political and Islamic leaders across Asia.
“Indonesia strongly condemns this shooting act, especially at a place of worship while a Friday prayer was ongoing,” Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, said in a statement.
She was earlier cited by media as saying six Indonesians had been inside one mosque when the attack occurred, with three managing to escape and three unaccounted for.
Muslims account for just over one per cent of New Zealand’s population, a 2013 census showed.
Before Friday, New Zealand’s worst mass shooting was in 1990 when a gun-mad loner killed 13 men, women and children in a 24-hour rampage in the tiny seaside village of Aramoana.
He was killed by police.
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Tonto Dike rejects prayers to be reunited with ex-husband
Nollywood actress turned Evangelist and philanthropist has rejected prayer of one of her followers on Instagram who wished for reunification with her ex-husband, Mr Churchil Olakunle.The follower known by Instagram handle @tobi_nextlevel took to Dikeh’s @Tontolet Instagram account comment section to wish that Tonto will reunite with her ex-husband.“How I wish you and Daddy King can forget your difference and reunite again”.The actress, singer and mother of one quickly rejected the prayer and responded thus, “MAY GOD FORBID SUCH A PRAYER IJN…Thanks for the evil wishes, I know you intended well…You can reserve the prayer!”@tobi_nextlevel commented further, “I know my comment may sound negative vibe to you, but all African women need a man in their life. Is not our thing in black race to live a life of single parent”.Dikeh got married to Olakunle in August 2015 and got separated in early part of 2017.The 17 months old marriage was blessed with a son, King Andre.In February, 2018 the entrenched couple came together and celebrated the second birthday of their son in Abuja. -
2019: Emir suspends two traditional rulers for organising prayers for Buhari
Two traditional rulers in Deba district of Gombe State have been suspended from office after they were accused of organising a prayer session for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.
The two monarchs, Alhaji Julde of Garin Mallam and Ummaru Bappayo of Wajari district, were suspended by the Emir of Deba after they reportedly invited prominent Islamic clerics to the session.
A letter of suspension written in Hausa language and signed by the acting secretary of the emirate, Saidu Mele, states that they were suspended from office with effect from November 23.
“ I have been directed to inform you that as from today ( 23/11/2018), his Royal Highness the Emir of Deba has suspended you from serving as district head because of some terrible reasons.
“You are, therefore, expected to cease carrying out any function as a traditional ruler immediately,” Mele stated in the letter.
Although the letter did not mention the specific offence the traditional rulers committed, the victims confirmed the reason for the suspension.
One of the tradition rulers confirmed that they organised the prayer session as a “normal zikr” but that they usually use such occasions to pray for the leaders.
Julde, the district head of Garin Mallamt while confirming the development said: “It’s true we were suspended for organising Zikr and praying for our dear president. I don’t know what is wrong with that.”
Julde also said he believes the Emir of Deba was directed by the state government to order their suspension.
Recall that Gombe is one of only two states in the North-east governed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after incumbent governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, won re-election in 2015.
Dankwambo sought to be the PDP presidenital candidate in the party’s primaries but lost to Atiku Abubakar who is from neighbouring Adamawa State. Dankwambo has, however, pledged his support to Abubakar.
Julde said the decision to suspend them was taken after a meeting of “top political leaders” in the area. He said he believes Dankwambo ordered their suspension.
When contacted, an aide to the Emir of Deba, Modu Chokali, said “to the best of my knowledge, no district head was suspended for political reasons.”
Also, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Umar Nafada, denied knowledge of the suspension.
“It is not true but I will confirm and get back to you. Thanks,” Mr Nafada said in response to our message sent to him via Whatsapp.
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BREAKING: Many feared dead as suicide bomber invade mosque during prayers
Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com reports have it that a teenage boy just set off his suicide vest in a mosque in Mubi, Adamawa State.
Many people were reported killed following the explosion.
The explosion occurred at a mosque in Wuro-Burode near yan Gwajo part of Mini.
The blast occurred Tuesday afternoon while worshippers were holding Zuhr (Afternoon ) prayer.
While details of the blast are still sketchy, residents and local officials fear many people worshippers were killed.
Confirming the incident, the chairman of Mubi North Local Government, Alhaji Musa Bello, said the blasts occurred around 1 30 pm.
“All I can tell you for now is that I am on my way to the scene to help in evacuation of casualties. Nobody can tell you the number of dead and injured for now,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Agency, Mr Haruna Furo also confirmed the blast but said there was no details for now.
A resident of Mubi, who simply identified as Buba, said the two explosions occurred in a mosque and a second hand clothes market.
“The blasts occurred at the Gwonjo market and a mosque about 20 meters away,” Buba said.
Details soon…
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Buhari needs our prayers not complains – CAC President
The President, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun on Saturday urged churches to stop complaining but pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to overcome challenges facing the nation.
Akinosun made the appeal while ministering at the Grand Finale of a Seven-Day Fasting and Prayer at Ikoyi Mountain Ero-Omo Village, Osun for the nation on Saturday morning.
The prayer was organised by Evangelist Felix Adunpe, General Overseer, Signs and Wonders Prayer Ministries in collaboration with the CAC, held between April 21 and April 27.
The prayer, which had hundreds of Christians praying from 11 pm to 4am, was tagged: “Nigeria Must be Redeemed”.
Akimosun, the former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said that only God could redeem Nigeria from her present predicaments.
According to the cleric, who read from Psalm 122: 6 and Jeremiah 29:11, God loves Nigeria and would heal the nation of her current socio-economic and security challenges with prayers.
“Leaders fail when people fail to pray. Stop abusing and cursing our leaders because as you curse them the consequences will be borne by all citizens.
“If we pray for our leaders, God will inspire them and everything will be all right. We should not lose hope in Nigeria.
“Let us pray for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. We need to pray for economic resurgence and prosperity. We need God’s intervention in this country.
“We need to pray for this nation because of innocent people that are being slaughtered everyday. Let’s pray for the redemption of this country.
“It is important we pray for the President. It is our response as children of God to pray for our leaders and the country. If we fail, many evil will be springing up,” he said.
According to Akinosun, Nigerians must bring to fore sincere love for the country and shun hatred because it is the only country we possess.
He said that Nigeria required a forthright leadership that would lead her to desired destinations of economic advancement, peace and prosperity.
The cleric, who cautioned against self defence, said that such step would make killings more rampant in the nation.
He added:”Let’s cry to God. This is the work of the church. The hope of every nation is the church. People continue to rebuke the church if we fail to do our responsibility.
“We have God that answers prayers. If we can reverence God by asking forgiveness, God will heal our land. It now clear that this nation needs prayers for the leadership and the followership.”
The cleric, who urged the Federal Government to restructure the security architecture of the country, expressed dissatisfaction over recurrent killings and economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Akinosun, who also called for an end corruption, ritualism, kidnapping, urged the political leaders to be alert to their responsibility and be selfless to end crisis.
“The president must do everything in his capacity to see that the killings stop,” he added.
He later led the people into serious prayer for nation’s redemption and intervention in her governance, saying sacking the President would not solve Nigeria’s problem.
Also Pastor Elisha Alalade, Oke Osun DCC Superintendent and Chairman/Presiding Pastor, CAC Ori- Oke IIkoyi ( Ikoyi Mountain ) said in his address, said that Nigeria’ was facing a battle that must be won spiritually.
“All these killings are devil’s work to set Nigeria on fire. Where there is no peace, there will be no prosperity. It’s time to pray.
“The moment we win the spiritual battle, the nation will move forward. God will intervene and darkness will vanish. Nigeria must be redeemed,” Alalade said.
The cleric, who led the congregation in fervent prayers for peace and God’s intervention in Nigeria’s governance, asked God to terminate all works of Satan.
In his remarks, Adunpe, co-host of the prayers noted that God revealed him that the nation had exalted idols through the hostage of Festival of Arts and Culture ( FESTAC ) in 1977 and demoted God.
He said God directed him to hold the prayers on the mount, adding: “Before Nigeria can enjoy peace and unity and make progress, Nigerians must pray and ask for God’s forgiveness.
“There is hope for Nigeria as God will intervene, peace will reign after this prayer,’” Adunpe assured.
The newsmen reports that hundreds of Nigerians across denominations prayed God to forgive the nation’s sins of bloodletting, occultism, ritualism, idolatry among others.
They also prayed for peace, unity, and end to killings as well as economic prosperity of the nation.
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Easter: MURIC calls for prayers for Leah, other girls in Boko Haram’s captivity
The Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl still in Boko Haram captivity, as they celebrate Easter.
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of the group in his Easter message on Friday, also urged Nigerians to remember Sharibu in their prayers so that the good Lord would soften the hearts of her captors to make them release her.
“As Nigerians mark Easter, we call attention to the plight of those in captivity, particularly Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl who dared Boko Haram hoodlums. Let us remember her with prayers.
“May God grant her more strength and embolden her in her trying moments. Our prayer point should also accommodate the remaining Chibok girls who are still in the hands of the terrorists,” he said.
The director also urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty to Boko Haram insurgents, adding that it should not be seen as a sign of weakness or surrender.
“It is the wisest thing to do at the moment. Nigeria needs a peaceful environment for full economic recovery and political stability.
“Amnesty is also in the interest of our young daughters who are still being held by Boko Haram. It is capable of softening the hearts of the insurgents and reducing their restlessness.
“As talks of amnesty continue, we jog Federal Government’s memory to make freedom for Leah Sharibu numero uno matter on the table. Boko Haram’s jaundiced and selective justice has singled her out as a major priority.
“We reiterate our commitment to a united Nigeria. We extend our hands of fellowship to our Christian neighbours. It is not ideal to worship God and hate His creatures at the same time,” Akintola said.
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Dapchi Girls: Our prayers have been answered – Saraki
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described the release of 101 of the 110 abducted Dapchi Schoolgirls as the answered prayers of millions of Nigerians.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki commended President Buhari, the Nigerian security forces and the government of Yobe State, for the ongoing effort that led to the release of the girls, stating that the government should do all within its power to ensure the return of the remaining Dapchi and Chibok girls.
“The release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls is tremendous news for the country. Our prayers have been answered.
“I commend President Buhari, our security forces and the Yobe State Government for their effort in bringing back our girls. However, we cannot stop here. We must not rest until all the Dapchi girls, and the remaining Chibok girls are back home with their families.
“I hope that the girls that have been released will soon be reunited with their families and loved ones. It is also necessary that we ensure that they receive the necessary care and rehabilitation that they need to continue to lead normal lives.
“I urge the affected families and the Yobe State Government to do all within their power to ensure that these girls continue their education — as this will be the strongest signal to their abductors that though they may have kidnapped their bodies — they will never break their spirits and their minds,” the President of the Senate said.
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Yusuf: Ajimobi urges prayers for first family
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged Nigerians to continue to remember the First Family in their prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf.
A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, quoted the governor as describing the unfortunate incident as depressing.
Ajimobi hopes that “The abiding grace of God that allowed the ebullient young man to survive the crash will see to his quick and complete recovery. It is indeed heartwarming to hear that he is in a stable condition now and responding well to treatment.
“On behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, I pray that Yusuf will soon be back on his feet. The incident is a temporary setback and one of the vicissitudes of life. He will come out of it stronger and will live long to fulfill his destiny.
“In the African culture of being our brother’s keepers, I urge Nigerians to continue to remember the first family in their prayers and thoughts in this difficult period.”