Indigenes of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, under the platform of Omo Aj’orosun Club, Ibadan, have organised interfaith prayers to ensure the quick release of abducted students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The club also noted that the prayers were organised to address the persistent insecurity in the ancient city and Nigeria in general.
The indigenes said the interfaith prayers became necessary in view of the challenges facing the ancient city and the country at large.
The programme, which was held on Saturday as part of activities marking the 46th anniversary of the club, was attended by leaders of the Christian, Islamic and traditional religions.
The Christian prayer was led by Venerable Sammi Adetule, the pastor in charge of Anglican Church of Ascension, Akobo, Ibadan. The Muslim prayer was led by Imam Saheed Odekunle, Chief Imam of Titilope Central Mosque, Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, while the traditional religion prayer was led by Dr Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode.
President of the club, Mogaji Kamaldeen Adeniyi Salaudeen, while addressing journalists at the event, explained that the prayers were organised to seek God’s intervention for the release of the abducted students and teachers.
He said the programme was also meant to seek God’s mercy for protection, peace and harmony in Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Salaudeen said, “The rationale for this programme is that we observed all the things that are going on in the city and other parts of the country. We are aware of all the things that are happening. Although we have to celebrate Omo Aj’orosun Club, we said we have to organise interfaith prayers.
“We have our children and teachers in captivity, so there is no way we can forget them. That is the reason we organised this programme.
“This is an interfaith prayer involving Muslim, Christian and traditional religion leaders. We did it particularly for the release of those who are in captivity. We held the prayers for the safe return of the students and teachers. That is the essence of the prayers. You can see that we have been praying for them since morning.”
Fakayode, in his remarks, said the interfaith prayers would go a long way in ensuring stability, peace and harmony in the ancient city and other parts of the country.
He said, “This prayer will go a long way in ensuring peace and stability in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
“Although Aj’orosun is a club of Ibadan indigenes, its concerns extend beyond Ibadan. In addition to offering prayers for Ibadan and Oyo State, we prayed for peace, stability and normalcy in Nigeria and throughout the world, recognising that Ibadan indigenes are found in every state of Nigeria and in many parts of the world.”
