Gowon: Only Prayer Can Defeat Insurgency, Farmers-Herders Conflicts

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, yesterday in Maiduguri urged Nigerians to use prayer as the most potent weapon of fighting Boko Haram insurgency and herdsmen-farmers conflict currently bedevilling the country.

He said prayer is necessary for the restoration of peace, unity and prosperity to the country.

Gen. Gowon was in Maiduguri for a two-day national prayer rally for the North-east zone organised under the aegis of Nigeria Prays, during which he paid a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima.

The elder statesman maintained that only prayer could transform insurgents and herdsmen from wickedness to good.

“I am here to tell you that the power of prayers is stronger and more powerful than bullets and guns, so we can change them through prayers, it is only God that can touch their hearts from the wrong they are doing to good.

“So let me tell you that “Nigeria Prayer” is not all about Christians but both Muslims and Christians, So I urge us all to pray for Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that such prayers were imperative to promote unity and harmonious coexistence as well as address the nagging social and economic problems bedevilling the country.

He also admonished Nigerians to shun violence and acts capable of disrupting peace and stability in the country.

The former head of state lauded the federal and state governments’ efforts to restore peace and address the humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east region.

Gowon further commended the Borno government over its rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement programmes designed to provide decent residential homes, schools, clinics, religious places of worship and other public structures.