ABUJA – The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, on Wednesday led an inter-faith national prayers to call for the release of abducted Chibok school girls.
At the event in Abuja, the minister also called for an end to all forms of terrorism and violence, saying in such situations, women and children were the worst hit.
Maina said the prayer session became necessary as a show of concern for the plight of the abducted girls, adding that nothing was impossible with prayers.
“It is pertinent to note that the emerging threats to our national security and unity have motivated this response.
“We strongly believe in the efficacy of prayers to God on behalf of our girls and for the restoration of peace and harmony in our nation.”
She said the present administration was resolute and committed to promoting education, saying it was a tool for national development.
The minister welcomed the present administrations’ safer school initiative, saying security and stability was necessary for any meaningful development.
She added that security was a collective effort of all Nigerians, saying all hands must be on deck to achieve this goal.
Dr Israel Akanji, FCT President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in his remarks stressed the need for all Nigerians to remember those in bondage.
He said that, although the situation looked hopeless, help was coming the way of the kidnapped girls, adding that confusion would soon set in the camp of the abductors.
“Those who have taken these children should know that they cannot close the gates of heaven.
“Light will shine upon darkness, the power of God will come down, and the girls will come back to us straight, “Akanji said.
The FCT CAN president also called on all Nigerians not to be discouraged over the issue, urging all hands to be on deck.
Alhaji Musa Umar, Chief Imam of the National Mosque Abuja, also led the Muslim faithful in prayer sessions, while calling for an end to terrorism and violence
He said there was need to sustain the momentum for the release of the innocent young girls, adding that awareness should be sustained to bring terrorism to an end.
More than 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno were abducted by insurgents on April 14. (NAN)
