“Let us pray for Nigeria as our custom is” was the injunction from the prayer moderator and the entire congregation went into a frenzy of prayers. The prayer followed after the moderator painted a picture of what happened in the country the previous day, the death of some unemployed Nigerians seeking employment into Nigerian immigration Services. What followed next could was more than prayer. Members were audibly wailing.
The moderator interrupted the free flowing wailing mid way to add another prayer request. This time around, the request was direct. “Let’s pray for the President. Ask God to direct his government; ask God to give him wisdom to tackle the myriad problems plaguing the country.”
The request of the prayer moderator made me wander in my thoughts. I thought about Boko Haram, the killings in Plateau state, the epileptic power supply, the missing $20 billion NNPC fund, the queues at the filling stations, the death of some unemployed Nigerians at the charade Nigerian Immigration Services called recruitment exercise. I recalled the recent dismissal of Sanusi and some of the dirty politics that took place in Port Harcourt and other well documented ‘tufiakwa’ moments.
Omo, when the moderator requested we pray harder for the President, I could not mutter any word. I simply couldn’t bring myself together to embark on such a spiritual exercise. I decided to keep quiet until the congregation was done with that prayer request. While I stood patiently waiting for the moderator to introduce another prayer topic, I suddenly heard my neighbour asking God all manner of questions. I paid closer attention to his words to God.
“God is there any particular reason Africa keeps producing the caliber of leaders it has? Why haven’t You oh God blessed this country with one leader who will attract genuine applause from the diverse ethnic groups and different religious leanings of this country? A president who will sacrifice personal interest and work for greater good of all? Dear Lord can’t we get a president who will inspire citizens towards building a stable and prosperous nation. Is there any reason why Nigerians go through tremendous hardship? Are we modern day Israelites in the hands of modern day Pharaoh? Dear Lord, Nigerians need your intervention. Intervene in all sector of the economy. Lord, which one should I mention; is it the Immigration, or the police force or the customs or the EFFC? My God and father, nothing seems to be working in this country. We know this is not your plan for this country. Nigerians are asking you to intervene now Lord!
At the end of the prayer session, I sat down wondering how many people prayed this way all over the country.
On our way out of the church, I overheard somebody saying “Our leaders must heed the cry of the people, Nigerians deserve better than we currently get. Leadership is a serious business and must be accorded all the seriousness it deserves. We see a lot of beating about the bush and the promotion of personal and party interests above national interest.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment