Kunle Adelabu
His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi, Ameer ul Muhminina As – Samadani and Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu, has stated that all that the country needs at this period insecurity, economic, political and social challenges, is prayer.
He charged that the citizenry to attach importance to the second stanza of the national anthem, while emphasizing the importance of prayer at this critical period in Nigeria’s life.
The religious leader spoke with THE IMPACT at his Itunmoja home in Ikorodu, on his Independence Day message.
“Nigeria at 61, God bless Nigeria! God bless Nigeria!! God bless Nigeria!!!”, Sheikh Oshoala said while responding to a question on his message on Nigeria at 61.
The revered educationist and cleric, who burst into laughter while responding to a question, said that there is nothing to say since all that the citizenry have been saying over the years had no impact on the polity.
“That’s my prayer because there is nothing that we say that holds water. We just need to continue praying for Nigeria”, he said with all seriousness.
With a changed expression which depicted great concern for the country, Sheikh Oshoala charged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country.
He further charged that citizenry to focus more on the second stanza of the country’s national anthem, which is in prayer form.
“Let’s continue to say, God bless Nigeria. That’s my appeal to everyone within the geographical location called Nigeria. Let’s continue to say, God bless Nigeria”, he appealed.
“Let’s the Muslims, Christians and traditionalists in their various places of worship continue to pray for the country and say, God bless Nigeria at all times.
“It’s all about prayer. I have been appealing to people but they don’t seem to understand that we need to attach more importance to the second stanza of our national anthem”, he said.
“The first stanza of our national anthem is the ‘call’ stanza which is ‘Arise o compatriot…” while the second one, is the prayer stanza, “O God of creation. Direct our noble cause…”. We seem to be focusing more on the former which is the call stanza but the latter part is more important.
“Let us endeavour to also recite the call stanza too each time that we are reciting the national anthem. We must be singing that on the radio, television and at every function.
“If we cannot have the full stanzas, let’s recite only the prayer stanza and leave the call stanza. That’s how we, Nigerians, in chorus and in unionism, jointly pray for the country”, he further charged
