An Islamic cleric, Alhaji Aminulahi Seriki, on Sunday called on Nigerians, particularly Muslims to use the opportunity of Ramadan to pray for quick recovery of President Mohammadu Buhari.

Seriki, the Assistant Imam, Ansarul-deen Mosque, Fadeyi, Lagos, made the call at an annual Ramadan Lecture, entitled “The Impact of Prayers”.

The cleric, according to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, however urged Muslims to avoid watching television while praying to avoid unanswered prayers.

“We should fully submit ourselves to God and concentrate when praying to Him.

“You don’t watch television or look at things going on around you while praying; such things are the causes of unanswered prayers,” he said.

Seriki said that Buhari needed the prayers of Nigerians for restoration of his health and God’s guidance to rule. He also urged Nigerians to unite to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

His words: “I call on Nigerians to continue to pray for sound health for President Buhari so that he can quickly return to the country and continue the business of governance.

“I want my Muslim brothers to use the opportunity of the blessings the holy month of Ramadan offers to pray for the president and for national peace.

“God requires us, as believers, to always pray for our leaders because He gives power to them.

“We should obey this command and pray for the president and his men so that they can lead us well.”

Seriki said that most people did not have solutions to their problems because they underrated the power of prayer. He said that prayer remains a medium of communication between man and God.

He commended Alhaji Moshood Salvador, a factional Lagos State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for organising the annual lecture, saying that it would go a long way to uplift participants spiritually.

In his remarks, Salvador said that he had been organising the lecture and the zakat – giving alms to the needy – in the past 20 years. He said that the aim was to remind Muslims of the need to renew their commitment to God and extend a hand of brotherhood to the needy.

The PDP chieftain said that the zakat would be expanded next year to include disbursement of empowerment items in Surulere, Lagos, and environs.

He urged affluent Muslims to assist the poor.

“I want to urge wealthy Nigerians particularly Muslims to always remember the less privileged.

“Allah has commanded us to do so. If you help your brothers in need, you are fulfilling a religious obligation.

“The clothes and food items we are giving to over 3,000 beneficiaries today are to ensure that people around us have a reason to smile especially during Ramadan,” he said.

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