Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya led top Government functionaries held a special Juma’at prayer, at Modibbo Bubayero Jumu’at Mosque, Emir’s Palace Gombe, in commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence which also coincides with the 27th Anniversary of the Creation of Gombe State.
Governor Inuwa who was represented by the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, said the prayers are part of a series of activities preceding this year’s twin celebrations in Gombe State.
“The essence of this is for the entire religious groups to be involved. It started with Juma’at Prayers today where special prayers were conducted in mosques all over the state; and on Sunday God’s willing, which coincides with Independence Day, special prayers will be conducted in various churches for peace, security, and development of Gombe State and Nigeria”, he said.
He said the people of Gombe have every reason to celebrate this day owing to the enormous development the state has witnessed, especially during Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s stewardship, calling on them to support the good policies and programmes of the incumbent government for more development and prosperity.
Governor Inuwa charged Muslims to pray for the state and the country for more blessings to the country and to invoke Allah’s interventions against the myriads of problems bedeviling the country.
Earlier in his Juma’at sermon, the presiding Imam, Ustaz Aliyu Hammari enjoined Muslims to emulate the good characters and virtues of the prophet Muhammad (SAW ) and imbibe the character of praying for their leaders.
Ustaz Hammari said Islam teaches Muslims to speak good of their leaders and pray for them. “It is therefore incumbent on us to pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for them and support them in whatever way possible for the progress of our state and the nation”, he urged, calling on the Ummah to avoid exhibiting illicit behaviors and acts during any celebration.
After the Juma’at prayer, the congregation was led in sessions of special prayers led by various scholars for peace, progress, and prosperity of Gombe State and Nigeria.
The Special prayers session was also graced by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, and Chairman Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chief, Alh. Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR, Acting Head of Civil Service, Permanent Secretaries, among other top government functionaries.
