President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday played host to Senegalese Muslim prayer warriors who were at the Aso Presidential Villa to pray for him and the nation.

The clerics were in Nigeria to attend the Maulud celebration of Ibrahim Inyass Gombe but were invited to the Presidential Villa by President Jonathan for spiritual support.

Led by Khalifah Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Inyass, grandson of the late Shehu Tijani Ibrahim Niass, the founder of the Tijjaniya sect, the visitors met with Jonathan for about an hour at the First Lady’s Conference Room. They prayed for the President and for Nigeria, especially for a solution to the Boko Haram insurgency and the immediate release of the over 200 abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

Speaking with State House Correspondents after the prayer session, spokesman for the group, Ahmed Tijani Sanni Alwalu, explained that such prayer sessions had been held for the country in the past during the administrations of General Yakubu Gowon and late General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi.

His words: “It is a historic visit because it has been done with the then President, General Yakubu Gowon and General Aguiyi-Ironsi, so history is repeating itself and we came for the Maulud of Ibrahim Inyass Gombe and on our way going home, the President requested for a courtesy visit and our Shehu granted it.

“We must come together, all Muslims and non-Muslims to achieve peaceful coexistence. We must pray so that we can all fight this insecurity in this country.

“The main purpose of coming here is part of the prayers for peace in this country.”

Other members of the group included Sheikh Muhammadul Makky Inyass, Sheikh Mansur Inyass, Sheikl Bashir Inyass, Inyass Mustapha Inyass, Abdullahi Muhammad Maigemu, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Aliyu Ibrahim, Khalifah Shehu Nasiru Hamisu, among others.

Also present at the meeting were the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo; Chief of Staff to President, Brigadier General Jones Arogbofa (rtd); Head of Service, Bukar Goni Aji; Minister of Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Bala Mohammed; Justice Minister, Mohammed Bello Adoke; Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina; Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan; and Minister of State for Agriculture, Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed.

•Photo shows President Jonathan and VP Sambo with Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Niass and other members of the delegation . . . yesterday at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Update news