The President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said Nigeria is passing through a difficult phase of nation building, economic recession, rising insecurity and threat to its corporate existence as a nation due to actions of some citizens.
In view of this, Saraki called on Nigerian pilgrims currently performing this year’s hajj to pray for the nation.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said “a prayer for your country and her leaders is as important as asking Allah to grant you your personal wishes.”
The Senate President, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for hajj, also asked Nigerians to use the occasion of the significance of Arafat Day holding today, Thursday, to pray for the quick recovery of the nation’s economy and good health for President Muhammdau Buhari.
The statement read: “The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day pilgrims gather at the plain of Mount Arafat, at the outskirt of Mecca, praying and supplicating to the Almighty Allah.
“Arafat Day was also the day Islam was perfected and approved for mankind by the Almighty Allah. The gathering is expected to consist of nearly two million faithful from across the world.
“Today our country is passing through a difficult phase of nation building occasioned by economic recession, rising insecurity and threat to our corporate existence as a nation by actions of some citizens.
“The health of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, is also of national concern to all, and every opportunity must be utilized to pray for his continuous recuperation for him to continue to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
“It is, therefore, not only advisable but necessary for our pilgrims to seize this rare opportunity the Arafat Day offers to offer prayers for our nation to overcome these challenges and for all development plans and policies initiated by government to start yielding fruits but that we as citizens should rededicate ourselves to the service of our country.
“Our people back home should also join in the prayers on the Arafat Day as Muslims believe that wherever you are on this special day, if you supplicate to the Almighty, he will answer the prayers.”
