Muslim Clerics from Senegal Saturday visited President Goodluck Jonathan at the President Villa, Abuja and offered prayers for his government and the country.
The Clerics, numbering about 10 said they were in Nigeria to attend the Maulud celebration of Ibrahim Inyass Gombe but were invited to the State House by the President Jonathan to pray for the nation.
They were led by Khalifah Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Inyass, the grandson of Late Shehu Tijani Ibrahim Inyass, the founder of the Tijjaniya sect.
Also on the delegation were Sheikh Muhammadul Makky Inyass, Sheikh Mansur Inyass, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Inyass, Sheikl Bashir Inyass, Inyass Mustapha Inyass, Abdullahi Muhammad Maigemu, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Aliyu Ibrahim, Khalifah Shehu Nasiru Hamisu etc.
The Mallams met the President for about an hour at the First Lady’s Conference Room where they offered prayers for an end to the security challenges facing Nigeria as well as peace and stability in the country.
Also present at the prayer session were Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Chief of Staff to President, Brig- General Jones Arogbofa (rtd), Head of Service, Bukar Goni Aji; Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke; Sate for Health, Khaliru Alhassan; Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina; State for Agriculture, Asmau Mohammed etc.
Speaking with State House correspondents, the spokesman for the group, Ahmed Tijani Sanni Alwalu, said it was a historic meeting, recalling that former Heads of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon and Late JTU Aguiyi- Ironsi had in the past invited the sect to pray for the country.
He said, “It is a historic visit because it has been done by his father with the then President, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Aguyi Ironsi, so the history is repeating itself and we came for the Maulud of Ibrahim Inyass Gombe and on our way going home, the President requested for a courtesy visit and our Shehu granted it.
“We must come together, all Muslims and non- Muslims to achieve peaceful co- existence. We must pray so that we can all fight this insecurity in this country.
“The main purpose of coming here is part of the prayers for peace in this country.”
President Jonathan had earlier met with Malian President Muhammadou Keita in continuation of series of meetings aimed at solving the problems of insurgency in northern Mali and north-eastern Nigeria.
The visiting President said, “I have come to meet my brother, on the issue of insecurity to see what we can do, that is why I’m here this morning. I came to meet my brother I’m also grateful to him and Nigerian people for their warmth reception since I came into Abuja and good luck to Nigerians”.
