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180,000 Christians Set To Pray For World Peace
No fewer than 180,000 Christians across the world will on Saturday, July 20, this year gather in Nigeria at a non-denominational crusade to pray for the world peace.
The crusade which would attract Christians from all the five continents of the world will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
The promoter of the crusade, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi disclosed this, yesterday at Julis, Northern District of Israel where she gave scholarship to 30 students of higher institutions in that community.
The renowned international evangelist and philanthropist accompanied by her husband, Dr Ademuyiwa Ajayi, said the only thing that can bring peace to the world especially Nigeria is the “prayer of the faithful”, and urged people to love themselves irrespective of race or creed.
She noted that Christians should come together to celebrate Jesus Christ who is the “Comforter”, and declared that the proceed from the crusade will be given to charity homes in Nigeria.
Presenting cheques to the beneficiaries of the scholarship, Mother Ajayi said she got to know about the vulnerables in Julis through the Executive Director of Munir Foundation, Mr Nadeem Ammar, who she said they met in London and told her how General Munir Ammar died in a Plane Crash in 2006.
She said, “I was moved to tears when I heard the story of many families in this community and some youths who wanted to go to school but could not because their breadwinner is either dead or have health challenges.
“I was impressed with the story of the late General who died three years ago had been catering for people here. We are glad to support this foundation because any support to advance the course of education among youth is a deliberate effort to secure their future and make the world a better place. I am also glad that they are judiciously spending the money we gave the foundation and this encourages us to do more”.
Appreciating Mother Ajayi for her kind gesture to the people of Israel, Col. Moneeb Bader said the community will remain eternally grateful to her for giving hopes to the hopeless youths who would have been out of schools.
He said, “I’d like in the name of Munir’s family to thank you for your presence here, we appreciate very much your gesture to us in those meaningful and painful moments at the same time. You are showing a great commitment and friendship to the family and to the community here.
Meanwhile, the presiding Bishop of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pastor Paul Enenche, yesterday, admonished Nigerians to offer special prayers for national stability, peace and progress.
Enenche, who gave the charge at a Day of Outreach and Prayers for Media Practitioners and Journalists in Abuja, stressed that when we pray for others, God answers our prayers and requests faster.
He said that prayer is the platform for the servicing of our relationship between God and man, prayer is the platform or avenue for communion between man and God.
According to him, prayer is the platform or avenue for accessing divine resources and provision, prayer increases spiritual fervency.
“Prayer facilitates spiritual alertness and sensitivity, prayer also changes lives and destiny, when the focus is on God,” the priest said.
He prayed for media practitioners to become positive influencers in the society and effect positive change on the nation.
Enenche, therefore, urged journalists to be God fearing as whatever way we lived on earth shall be accounted for in heaven.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.