Friday sermon urges Nigerians to pair prayer with nation-building

A Friday sermon marking Nigeria’s 66th year of independence urged citizens to combine prayer with practical efforts to build a more just and secure country. The sermon, by Murtadha Gusau, said Nigeria faced economic hardship, insecurity and social division but warned against despair. It described the country’s diversity and resources as responsibilities requiring honest stewardship.

It presented political office, public resources, commercial activity and family responsibilities as forms of sacred trust. Nation-building, the sermon argued, required truthfulness, discipline and justice in homes, workplaces, markets and public institutions. The sermon referred to the Prophet Muhammad’s establishment of Madinah as an example of mutual responsibility and integrity.

It said patriotism should be reflected in ethical conduct rather than only in celebrations of sovereignty. Prayer was presented as a source of moral strength rather than a replacement for work. The sermon referred to calls for special supplications during periods of national difficulty and encouraged citizens to pray for wisdom among leaders and prosperity among the people.

It included a story about an elderly woman in Kaduna praying for Nigeria and encouraging her grandson, a university graduate doing menial work, not to abandon hope. She told him that prayer should be accompanied by daytime efforts to improve the country. The sermon concluded that nation-building was an active responsibility requiring contributions from scholars, doctors, engineers, security personnel, labourers, leaders and ordinary citizens.

Its central message was that prayer, integrity and sustained civic effort should operate together if Nigeria is to overcome its challenges.