Tears rolled down the cheeks of Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, during a special prayer held at Birnin Kebbi Eid praying ground for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on medical vacation in London, United Kingdom.

The prayer, which was organised by residents of Birnin Kebbi, witnessed a large turnout of people who converged on the praying ground as earlier as 8:30am to offer special prayers for Buhari and the unity of Nigeria.

Islamic leaders, chief imams of different mosques and associations, as well as Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, deputy governor Samaila Dabai and other top government officers attended the prayer session.

They recited various verses of the Holy Qur’an and other selected prayers for the quick recovery of the president.

Governor Bagudu, who could not hold back his emotion during the session burst into tears and left. The crowd shouted “Allahu Akbar!” The prayer session came to an abrupt end thereafter.

Before then, Bagudu had described the gathering as a sign of unity in the state and urged all Nigerians to continue to protect the unity of the country, irrespective of location and tribe.

Leading the prayer at about 10:30am, Chief Imam of Birnin Kebbi Central Mosque, Alhaji Muktaru Abdullahi Wali-Gwandu appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for Buhari and assist those who need help.

Other Islamic clerics who offered prayers at the gathering were the Chief Imam of Gwandu, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Birnin Kebbi Eid ground, Imam Ahmadu Rufai, and Chairman of Ulamas Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bayewa, among others.

During the ceremony, the emir charged all Islamic clerics to continue to pray for the country and president Buhari in their various mosques and homes. In a related development, Niger State government has called for one week of prayer and fasting, for the president’s quick recovery.

Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, in a statement in Minna, yesterday, said although indications show that the president is doing well, there was need for prayers for him as the father of the nation.

He added that “the president also needs prayers in his bid to take Nigeria through the path of greatness. As a government, we are praying and we urge all Nigerlites to, starting today (Sunday), pray for Mr. President’s good health as he leads the nation through the path of greatness all through the week.”

He pointed out that everybody in the state, regardless of their religious affiliation, will be expected to pray for the president’s health “because President Muhamnadu Buhari’s success is for all Nigerians.” (Daily Sun)

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