The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, led a significant gathering of Muslim faithful in a prayer session seeking God’s forgiveness and requesting rainfall for Niger State.
This prayer session came after weeks of severe drought that affected the ancient Nupe Kingdom and other regions of the country, leading to withering crops.
On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Etsu Nupe was joined by traditional and religious leaders, as well as farmers, at the Eid praying ground in Esso, Bida. The collective prayer aimed to implore God to provide abundant rainfall for the Bida Emirate, Niger State, and the entire nation.
In the face of persistent drought and its impact on agriculture, farmers and residents in the Bida Emirate have turned to special prayers, seeking divine intervention to avert further calamity caused by the lack of consistent rainfall.
Addressing the gathering after the prayer session, the Etsu Nupe emphasized the importance of repentance and seeking Allah’s mercy in times of distress. He highlighted that Islam encourages Muslims to turn to God for forgiveness and guidance during crises.
“Whenever there is a threat of drought, we are enjoined by Allah (SWT) through His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to seek His guidance and forgiveness,” the monarch stated. “We hope this prayer will be answered by Allah (SWT) and that He will grant us not only rain but also bless our crops and provide for our needs.”
During the prayer session, the Chief Imam of Bida Emirate, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, delivered a sermon addressing the causes of drought and calamities. He pointed out that issues such as unfulfilled pledges, dishonesty among marketers and service providers, and even unnecessary violence could contribute to such crises.
He further noted that crops are in dire need of water amidst rising food prices and ongoing security challenges. Sheikh Adamu urged residents to fear God in their daily lives and called on leaders to act with sincerity and provide necessary humanitarian support to their communities.
The Chief Imam prayed for sufficient rainfall to ensure bumper harvests and asked God to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians across the country.
