By Roseline Okafor — Lafia

The Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA) has called on Nigerians, particularly Christians, to intensify prayers for peace, unity and sustainable development as the country continues to grapple with security, economic and political challenges.

The call was made on Thursday during a National Day of Prayer organised by NOCRELA at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, with similar prayer sessions held simultaneously across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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National Chairman of NOCRELA, Archbishop John Praise Daniel, said Nigeria was passing through challenging times that required collective spiritual intervention and responsible leadership.

According to him, Christians across the country must remain steadfast in interceding for Nigeria while political and religious leaders must work toward creating a just and peaceful society.

“For peace to reign, leaders must do what is right and be accountable to the people,” Archbishop Daniel said.

He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to the unity and progress of the country despite the difficulties confronting the nation.

Prayer Is ‘Timely and Patriotic’

In a brief exhortation, the Executive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev.

Stephen Adegbite, urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by current developments but to remain prayerful and hopeful.

Adegbite described the nationwide prayer initiative as “timely and patriotic”, stressing the need for the programme to be sustained as a platform for spiritual intervention in national affairs.

He encouraged Christians to continue praying for peace, wisdom for leaders and stability across the country.

Wike Commends Church

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who was represented at the event, commended the Christian community for its continued prayers and advocacy for good governance.

Wike thanked the Church for “standing in the gap through prayers and for always speaking truth to power.”

He urged Christians to sustain their prayers for peace, security and effective governance in Nigeria.

NOCRELA Warns Against Divisive Statements

Also speaking, the National Secretary of NOCRELA, Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly, urged religious leaders to exercise caution in their public statements and promote messages capable of strengthening peaceful coexistence.

Dolly described Christians and Muslims as “each other’s keepers”, urging Nigerians to manage the country’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity responsibly.

He said national unity could only be strengthened when citizens and leaders rejected inflammatory rhetoric and embraced dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect.

Prayers for 2027 Elections

The gathering attracted Christian leaders and worshippers from various denominations.

The prayer session featured special intercessions for peace in Nigeria, good governance, national security and peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

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NOCRELA, an umbrella body of Christian leaders across the 19 Northern states and the FCT, has in recent years intensified its advocacy for peaceful coexistence, national unity and civic responsibility through prayer meetings, dialogue and community engagements.

With insecurity, economic hardship and political tensions dominating national discourse ahead of the 2027 elections, faith-based organisations such as NOCRELA continue to position prayer, moral guidance and peaceful engagement as part of their contribution to nation-building.