By Kolawole Ojebisi
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has dismissed as falsehood report making the rounds that she is planning to lead a national prayer to seek divine solution to the myriads of challenges besetting the country.
A report had claimed that Mrs Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, would lead a seven-day event titled ‘Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.’
The report stated that the Director-General of the National Prayer Forum, Segun Afolorunikan, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja last Sunday.
Afolorunikan had said that the initiative, coordinated with Christian and Muslim religious leaders, seeks divine intervention for the country’s socio-economic and security issues.
“Christians will meet at the National Ecumenical Centre for a week of intense prayer, with prayer warriors from various denominations focusing their efforts on the nation’s adversities,” said the convener.
However, in a statement on Saturday issued by her spokesman, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said the news that she is organising a national prayer is unfounded and misleading.
Mrs Tinubu clarified that although she is a strong advocate of prayer and praying for the nation, she believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously, and sincerely.
The statement read, “This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, is not organising a national prayer.
“The news circulating on some traditional and social media platforms is unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of a joint national prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false.
“While the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria, believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously, and sincerely,
“she also believes that praying for Nigeria is the responsibility of every Nigerian, irrespective of religious belief, political affiliation, tribe, or language.
“Members of the public are advised to verify the authenticity of any news or event involving the First Lady of Nigeria or her Office through official channels. Kindly be advised accordingly.”
Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, gave the report national prominence when he taunted the Tinubu administration over the decision by the First Lady to organize what he called prayer to solve the country’s problems.
Atiku berated the move adding that it’s a mark of the Tinubu’s administration’s cluelessness
He pointed this out a day after he highlighted his alternative policies that would have solved the challenges confronting the country if he were the president.
