Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has called on citizens to pray for the peace and prosperity of the country as the Lenten season commences.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a message posted on her X handle on Wednesday, the First Lady described Lent as a period of spiritual growth and self-reflection, urging Nigerians to embrace compassion and unity during the solemn season.
“As we begin this Lenten period, I pray that this time of spiritual growth, self-reflection, and drawing closer to God is committed to following Christ’s example of love,” she wrote.
“May our prayers and acts of compassion and kindness deepen our faith and reflect on our relationships with others. I urge us to remember to pray for the peace and prosperity of our dear nation, Nigeria. I wish us all a blessed and fulfilled Lenten season.”
Lent began with Ash Wednesday and is one of the most significant periods in the Christian liturgical calendar. The 40-day season, excluding Sundays, is devoted to penance, fasting, prayer and almsgiving, leading up to Easter. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert, a time marked by sacrifice and spiritual preparation.
Governors Echo Call for Unity
This year’s Lent coincides with the start of the Muslim Ramadan fast — a rare occurrence that has prompted renewed appeals for tolerance and national cohesion.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the overlap as deeply symbolic.
“The fasting period is very significant to Christian and Muslim faithful across the world. It teaches abstinence from worldly pleasures, steadfastness in prayers, and total submission to the will of God,” he said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.
“I believe strongly that the start of these two major religions’ activities on the same day is not a mere coincidence but God’s design for our nation and the entire world for peace and stability,” Sanwo-Olu added.
He urged residents to remain tolerant and continue praying for peace and stability in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Similarly, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said the simultaneous commencement of Lent and Ramadan signals the need for unity.
“The two fasting seasons beginning on the same day again signal a need for all of mankind across creeds to work for harmony, peace, and unity, while acting as a united force against all forms of evil and things that could slow down the pace of development in Kwara State and Nigeria,” he said.
Abdulrazaq also urged “the two faith communities to pray and work with the government to improve the well-being of the people.”
In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo described the moment as a profound spiritual opportunity.
“This is a profound spiritual moment for our nation. As Muslims fast and Christians observe Lent, I encourage all faithful to lift Nigeria before God in prayer and supplication.
“Let us seek divine guidance to overcome our challenges and build a more united, prosperous, and peaceful country,” he said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele.
Across states, leaders emphasised that the coinciding sacred seasons present a rare chance for collective reflection, strengthened faith, and renewed commitment to peace, unity and national development.
