Jonathan, pilgrims pray for peace, end to ASUU crisis

EMOTIONS filled Jerusalem International Conference Centre on Sunday as President Goodluck Jonathan led thousands of pilgrims in an interdenominational church service which recorded a number of miraculous healings to pray for peace and development in Nigeria.

Tagged: A Day With Jesus For Nigeria in Israel, the service was used to ask God for forgiveness of sins committed in Nigeria.

The Centre was jammed and the service which lasted for five hours was attended by cabinet ministers and some state governors which include those of Plateau (Jonah Jang), Ebonyi (Martin Elechi), Akwa Ibom (Godswill Akpabio), Cross River (Liyel Imoke), Benue (Gabriel Suswan) and Delta (Emmanuel Uduaghan). Some deputy governors were also in attendance.

Notable religious leaders were equally present. They were led by the president of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

The General Overseer of Dunamis International Ministry, Dr. Paul Enenche who took his text from Psalm 122 and Genesis 12: 1-3. His sermon centred on Experiencing His Lordship ministered during the service.

He noted that no man or nation has a future without God, stating that the devil did not have the powers to stop the kind of unusual transformation coming to the country.

Maintaining that it was not possible to put God first and come last in life, Pastor Enenche noted that decision to accept personal helplessness and willingness to submit to God’s authority were keys to Godly leadership.

He said, “If we are to move forward, we must take risks. Those who fear reactions will never take actions.”

According to him, Israelis constitute only 0.2 percent of world’s population yet one-fifth of Nobel-award recipients till date have been Jews.

He attributed the successes, security, growth and development in Israel to submission to leadership of God.

Speaking, President Jonathan who took the second scripture reading from Philipians 2:1-11 noted that though the country was passing through some challenges, God made it possible for the pilgrims to storm Israel to pray.

The president, who equally received Yzak Rabin Leadership Award of Excellence stated that Nigerians had learnt from the history of Israel that all human race must face challenges and called for further prayers for the country.

He assured that his administration would work tirelessly to build the kind of nation that coming generation will be proud of.

President Jonathan outlined achievements made so far by his administration but lamented that some people, out of evil thinking, go as far as falling power towers and blowing up gas lines.

Assuring that the country would overcome the challenges, the president emphasized that, “The evil forces will never succeed again.”

He said, “We assure you things will continue to be better. We believe that this is turning point in our country and Nigeria will not be the same.

“Nigeria and Israel will continue to be great friends and the two countries will give us a better world. We know that the world will see peace as we progress,” he said.

During a prayer session, Pastor Oritsejafor described Nigeria as one that had come out of wilderness and shall never return to same.

He said God would spoil, trouble and empty those that spoil, trouble and empty the country.

“You spirit behind Boko Haram, you hide under human faces but you are a demon, you are an evil spirit.

In the name of Jesus, I address you today, your time is up. I command you, leave the geographical entity called Nigeria; go to dry places in the name of Jesus. Leave Nigeria alone; you won’t return to Nigeria.

“Boko Haram is ended today. I address wicked men and women engineering political confusion in Nigeria, whether doing it in covens, waters or houses of conspirators, in the name of Jesus, your enterprise will not continue.

“We take Nigeria from your hand. We speak peace to Nigeria, we speak peace, love, growth and unity to Nigeria.

“Jonathan, mount up with wings like the eagle, fly above the storm. Nigeria will not fail or fall in your hands,” he prayed.

Prayer to end ASUU strike
Thousands of Nigerian pilgrims on Sunday in Jerusalem prayed against the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), alleging that there are powers behind the industrial action that needed to be broken.

The prayers were directed against the leadership of the union for them to accept the offer already made by the federal government.

ASUU had insisted on full implementation of the agreement it had with the federal government in 2009 even after government reportedly increased the Earned Allowances from N30 billion to N40 billion although as first installment and not a once-and-for-all payment and with a pledge to jerk it up with further releases once universities were through with the disbursement of the sum.