From FRED ITUA, Abuja
Wife of former governor of old Anambra State, Mrs Grace Ezeife, Christian and Muslim women across the country, have called on agitators to give peace a chance, as they have concluded plans to hold a joint prayer session in Abuja.
The women are meeting to seek God’s intervention in the restoration of total peace and harmonious living among people of various ethnic and religious beliefs in the country, through prayers.
Although the Arewa Youths Group, which handed down the October 1 quit deadline to the Igbo, have since withdrawn the quit order, following intervention of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and some influential notthern leaders, the women said there were still fears pervading the country over the action.
Conveners of the upcoming event, under the aegis of Lifesavers Ambassadors, at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday, said the event was meant to ask God to change the minds of people with divisionist tendencies, who they noted, want to plunge the country into serious crisis.
Reading a prepared text of the group before newsmen, President, Lifesavers Ambassadors, Bishop Junita Nwendu, said the prayer session, tagged:”Womb of Nigeria Crying for Peace”, and holding at the Women Development Centre, Abuja, became necessary to save the country from the intended crisis.
While noting that the country was at the moment, embroiled in ethnic and religious tensions, the women said they would use the joint prayer session to raise their voices and ask God to create opportunities for religious and ethnic harmony, dialogue and relationship building in the country.
“We thank God very much that those who issued the quit notice that some people must leave the North, have withdrawn their statement, however, there is still palpable fears in our country as a result of that action, “Nwendu said.
Dr Nwendu, a former beauty queen-turn preacher, while thanking the northern youth group for withdrawing the quit notice against the Igbos, called on those with diversionist tendencies to change.
“Differences in opinions and conflicts of interest have become sources of tension and suspicion with different ethnic groups and religious tinkering with self actualisation which should not be.
“On top of that, our politicians are giving us reasons to fear for the existence of our nation while poverty and hunger have become part of the fabric of our existence.