The Bida Emirate in Niger State organized a prayer session on Thursday, seeking divine intervention for abundant rainfall and a successful harvest across the state and Nigeria. This event was prompted by the community’s concern over an imminent drought due to irregular rainfall in the region,Daily Trust reports.
The prayer session, held at the Eid prayer ground in Esso, Bida, was led by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, alongside traditional and religious leaders, as well as local farmers. Thousands of residents gathered for the prayers, responding to the lack of consistent rainfall in the area, following Islamic teachings on seeking divine assistance.
Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar explained that the prayer was an appeal for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy, as Islam encourages repentance and seeking divine help during times of societal calamities. He called on the Muslim community to forgive one another and avoid actions that are forbidden in Islam. He also urged his subjects to turn back to God with sincere repentance.
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Abubakar emphasized, “In the face of a potential drought, we are instructed by Allah through His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to seek His guidance and forgiveness. We pray for Allah’s mercy and hope that our prayers will bring not just rain but also blessings upon our crops and everything else we need for survival.”
In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Bida Emirate, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, highlighted five reasons why droughts and other calamities may occur, including unfulfilled promises, dishonest practices by some traders and service providers, among other issues. He expressed concern about withering crops that desperately need water amidst rising food prices and security challenges in the state.
The Chief Imam urged the residents to be God-fearing in their daily lives and advised leaders to treat their subjects with sincerity, providing necessary humanitarian support. He also mentioned that unnecessary violence, such as the killing of innocent citizens, and immoral behavior could contribute to the shortage of rainfall.
The session concluded with prayers for sufficient rain, a bountiful harvest, and an end to the hardships currently faced by Nigerians.
