Nigeria is in crisis, says David Mark

Senate President, David Mark, has enjoined religious leaders to pray and fast to heal the country saying that there was no doubt that the country is in crisis.

He appealed to religious leaders to use their weapons of prayer and fasting to actualize needed transformation in the hearts of Nigerians as well as in the society in order to overcome numerous socio- political and economic challenges confronting the country.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to President of the Senate, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark made the appeal at a dinner he hosted for Priests attending the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) holding in Otukpo, Benue State on Wednesday.

It said that the Senate President also urged the clergy to continue to pray for the sustenance of the democratic process in the country.

It quoted Mark to have said: “The Church should continue to use her weapons of prayer and fasting; divine and human resources to actualize transformation both in our hearts and our society. Nigeria needs moral and spiritual revolution. And this is the time. ”

Mark noted that present challenges and expectations are high and assured that “we will do our best to live up to the challenges”.

He canvassed that everything humanly possible should be done within the ambits of the law to nurture the country’s democracy in order to yield the needed dividend for Nigerians.

Mark cautioned against yielding to the pressures of unpatriotic bodies who he said are determined to destroy the peace and unity of the country.

On the law banning same sex marriage in the country, Mark was said to have maintained that “in spite of criticism and pressure from some sections of international community, the law is irrevocable.”

According to him, “same sex marriage is against our culture, tradition, law and indeed offensive to humanity.”

President of CBCN Ignatius Kaigama and Archbishop of Abuja diocese John Cardinal Onaiyekan in their separate remarks were reported to have harped on peace and harmonious relationship between and among various religious groups.

The clergy men were said to have insisted that all Nigerians should have the right to practice their faith without fear of intimidation or molestation.

Kaigama and Onaiyekan were also said to have asked governments at all levels to do more to protect lives and property of citizens even as they pledged to continue to pray for Nigeria and her people.