The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has distanced herself from reports that she would lead a national prayer for economic recovery.
Speaking through her media aide Busola Kukoyi, on Saturday, the first lady described the reports as “unfounded and misleading” and urged the public to disregard them.
“The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms are unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.
“Whilst the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly. She also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe or tongue,” said Kukoyi.
The clarification came after a group claimed that the first lady and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, would spearhead an interfaith prayer gathering organizsed by the National Prayer Forum (NPF).
The event, which was announced by NPF Director-General, Chief Segun Balogun Afolorunikan, was to include week-long prayer sessions at both the National Mosque and National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.
According to the group’s announcement, 313 Muslim participants would complete 2,191 Qur’an recitations at the National Mosque, while Christian prayers would take place at the National Ecumenical Centre.
The programme was themed “Seeking the intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs” to boost national morale and guide the country’s leadership through the current economic challenges.
But following criticism that trailed the planned seven-day event, the NPF said the initiative was non-governmental and non-partisan.
Afolorunikan had said the decision to invite the first lady and NSA to lead the programme was based on their respected positions and not to seek political endorsement.
“We find it disheartening that some, rather than appreciating the prayer effort, have chosen to politicize it. In both the Bible and the Quran, there is ample guidance on the efficacy of prayer in times of challenge. The Bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Similarly, the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:186) underscores, “And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” These verses show that prayer serves as a divine support that, when combined with sincere efforts, strengthens a nation’s resolve and direction.
“In response to critics, particularly those who question the validity of prayer in these challenging times, we emphasize that divine intervention has always complemented diligent, hands-on efforts. This is neither a replacement for hard work nor a dismissal of economic solutions but a humble recognition that, alongside our efforts, we seek divine guidance and unity.
“While it is the government’s business to engage qualified persons and task them on areas of national need for growth, it is our responsibility as citizens to provide our areas of competence to national challenge h in this case, the spiritual dimension to which we all agree is pivotal to our daily lives,” Afolorunikan had said.