The President of the Senate has called on religious leaders in the country to pray for Nigeria and its leadership, saying the country will eventually overcome its tribulations.
Speaking Monday at the funeral mass for the late Senator Ignatius Dantong Longjan at St. Louis Catholic Church, Jos, Plateau State, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said: ”We need prayers as a country and a people. We cannot ask for this at a better place. We need to have a very peaceful, secured and safe country.
“Prayers can do a lot of things. Prayers can make leaders perform. So, Nigerian leaders need prayers, so we remain focused on ensuring that we discharge our obligations and mandates to create the kind of country all of us desire.”
The funeral mass was officiated by the Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama.
Speaking further, the Senate president said: “We may see things we don’t want to see today, but the power of prayers can change so many things for the better. We shouldn’t despair.
“It is sad we are going through this but we can overcome it. May Almighty God help us overcome our tribulations.”
Lawan, while paying tribute to the deceased lawmaker who represented Plateau South until his demise, said Longjan’s quest for unity and peace were lasting legacies that would continue to unify Nigerians.
According to him, the National Assembly will work concertedly at building on those ideals the deceased lived to attain peace and progress for Nigeria.
“We met him (Ignatius Longjan) only in 2019 when we went to the Senate, but he was already an accomplished human being, not only in terms of what he was able to achieve in public service, but also in terms of what he was as a person.
“He was at peace with everybody, and all of us saw a man who wanted to see not only Plateau being peaceful, but also our country Nigeria being in peace.
“The task before the rest of us, especially in the Senate, and the National Assembly, is to continue to work on those ideals, those things he believed in, those dreams he had for Nigeria, that we live in trust and have faith in ourselves for a progressive and peaceful Nigeria.
“This is one loss that is for all of us, this country will miss him. He was one gentleman that made a difference.
”We pray that this death that has brought so many together will continue to unite people, and, of course, this country needs unity,” Lawan said.
Among dignitaries present are: the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong; Deputy Governor, Sonni Tyoden.
Senators who accompanied the Senate President include Rochas Okorocha (APC – Imo West); Philip Aduda (PDP – FCT); Uche Ekwunife (PDP – Anambra Central); Haliru Jika (APC – Bauchi Central); and Aisha Dahiru Ahmed (APC – Adamawa Central).
