Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has called for peaceful coexistence and end to senseless killings in the country.
He spoke at the weekend during the National Prayer Conference organised by Nigeria Prays at the Ecumenical Centre, Yenagoa, with the theme: โLord rend the heavensโ.
Dickson, who noted that the ongoing killings were symptoms of a failed state, lamented that Nigeria was seriously bleeding and divided more than ever.
โThe continuous wanton killings by Fulani herdsmen across the country is symptomatic of a failed state,โ Dickson said.
The governor, who called for prayers to surmount the countryโs challenges, said Nigerians must unite in prayers and resolve to work together to ensure fairness, justice and equity.
Dickson urged leaders to take the responsibility and stop the bloodletting, adding that the emergence of Nigeria Prays was more critical than ever before, as it encouraged the different denominations to pray fervently for the nation.
His words: โIn this country, Godโs children, human beings irrespective of the God they worship, are being slaughtered mercilessly, remorselessly in many parts of the country. Our nation is bleeding. We must unite in prayers and resolve to do what is right and fair. Our nation should be a nation of fairness, justice, equity, equal citizenship and united by common ideals of being the greatest black nation.
โWe are united by our common shared humanity and nationality. So, injustice and unfairness anywhere should be a concern to anyone and everyone in our nation. I join you in praying that the bloodletting, unnecessary killings in our nation under any shape or guise to end. God should intervene so that people will feel the need to do the right thing, be fair and just to one another.
โAnyone who denies his fellow man justice is less human than his victim because what qualifies us humans created in the image of God is our belief in doing what is right and just.
โSo, I call for a just, egalitarian and fair Nigeria, where everyone is proud to call his or her country. No one should play the ostrich.โ
Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who is chairman and convener of Nigeria Prays, expressed appreciation to Dickson for giving his group the privilege of holding its National Prayer Conference at the Ecumenical Centre.
According to Gowon, the governor has demonstrated his faith in God by building the Ecumenical Centre and urged other state governors to emulate his initiative.
The former Head of State, who noted that prayers could solve Nigeriaโs problems better and faster than military generals and soldiers with physical weapons of war.
He assured Nigerians that God would honour the collective prayers and intercession for the nation, advising people to shun violence and retaliation.
National Director of Nigeria Prays Reverend Moses Aransiola enjoined Christian faithful to pray fervently for the nation.
He added that Nigeria Prays believed in the efficacy of prayer and praying for the country since it was the responsibility of Christians.
Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria President Reverend Rev. Felix Omobude advised Nigerians to pray and speak well about the country.
He said when people curse the country, they automatically curse themselves, assuring that with Godโs intervention, there would be a new Nigeria.
