By Stephen Adeleye.
The Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State council, has urged Nigerians to always pray for leaders to enable them tackle the numerous challenges confronting the nation.
The Correspondent Chapel’s Chairman, Mr Segun Salami, made the call during a special prayer session at NUJ press centre Lokoja, organised by the chapel for Gov. Ahmed Ododo and former Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello,
Salami, who doubles as the Channels Television Correspondent in Kogi, said the programme was put together to pray for the success of the present administration of Gov. Ododo and a special prayer for former Gov. Bello.
He stressed that Bello had governed the state for eight years and did his best in moving Kogi forward especially in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, youth and women empowernment, among others.
The chapel’s chairman stressed the need for constant prayer and support for leaders at all levels of governance to enable them deliver the dividends of democracy to Kogi citizens.
Salami urged the people to join hands with the present Ododo’s administration to succeed in actualizing all his laudable plans and programmes for the state.
“Ododo has started well especially in the area of payment of salary to Kogi workers both at State and Local government level.
“His recent signing of seven executive bills into law shows that the governor has good intentions for the state.
“The catalyst needed by the government now is fervent prayers and that I am urging Kogi people irrespective of religious to do every day.
“If the State is better in terms of security and availability of food at cheaper rate, the benefits will touch all citizens in the state” Salami said.
Earlier, Mallam Muhammad Bashir of the New Telegraph who offered prayer in Islamic faith, described prayer as a weapon to deal with every evil and to destroy every obstacle to development.
Bashir noted that the prayer was organized to ensure that the present administration succeed in achieving the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
Bashir prayed to God Almighty for the progress of the state and God’s divine intervention in the Court case against the former governor. Alh. Yahaya Bello.
Also, Mr Friday Idachaba of the Nigerian Pilot who offered prayer in Christian way, said prayer remained the foundation and ingredients needed for progress and peaceful coexistence of the people.
Idachaba prayed God to give Gov. Ododo good health, patience and wisdom to pilot the affairs of Kogi State more than his predecessors.
Idachaba also prayed to Almighty God to assist former Governor Yahaya Bello to triumph over all his challenges.
