On Saturday, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, dismissed reports claiming she would lead a national seven-day prayer session for the country.
The clarification follows recent news that Mrs. Tinubu, along with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, would be spearheading a week-long national prayer initiative to address Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
The reports had quoted Segun Afolorunikan, Director-General of the National Prayer Forum, as announcing the event in Abuja. According to Afolorunikan, the prayer session would include both Christian and Muslim leaders under the theme “Seeking the Intervention of God in Nigeria’s Affairs.” He further noted that Christians would gather at the National Ecumenical Centre, with “prayer warriors from various denominations focusing on the nation’s adversities.”
However, the First Lady has distanced herself from these claims. Speaking through her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Busola Kukoyi, she stated that any call for prayer should be made “willingly, conscientiously, and correctly.” In an official statement titled ‘First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu, CON Refutes Organising National Prayer’, Kukoyi clarified that the First Lady is not involved in any such initiative.
The statement read: “This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria is not organizing a national prayer. The news circulating on various media platforms is unfounded and misleading. Anyone who has come across this information is advised to disregard it.”
While acknowledging her commitment as a Christian and an advocate for praying for Nigeria, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that prayer is a personal responsibility for all Nigerians, regardless of religious or political affiliation. The statement concluded with a reminder for the public to verify the accuracy of any news regarding the First Lady through official channels.
