By Samson Obande,  Abuja

The Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly, NOCRELA, has described prayers as the panacea for peace and development in Nigeria, urging Christians nationwide to remain steadfast in intercession for the country.

National Chairman of NOCRELA, Archbishop JohnPraise Daniel, made the call on Thursday during a National Day of Prayer organized by the group at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. Similar prayer sessions were held simultaneously across the 19 Northern states and the FCT.

Archbishop Daniel said Nigeria is passing through difficult times that require concerted prayers from citizens, especially Christians, for the nation to overcome its current challenges.

He also tasked political and religious leaders to uphold justice, equity, and fairness, stressing that “for peace to reign, leaders must do what is right and be accountable to the people.”

In a short exhortation, the Executive Secretary of the National Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Rev. Stephen Adegbite, urged Nigerians not to be deterred by happenings in the country but to remain prayerful.

He described the nationwide prayer initiative as “timely and patriotic” and called for its sustenance as a platform for spiritual intervention in national affairs.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who was represented at the event, thanked the Church for “standing in the gap through prayers and for always speaking truth to power.”

He urged Christians to continue praying for peace and good governance in the country.

Also speaking, the National Secretary of NOCRELA, Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly, cautioned religious leaders to guard their utterances and promote messages of peace.

He described Christians and Muslims as “each other’s keeper,” and urged Nigerians to manage the nation’s diversity responsibly for the peace and development of the country.

The event attracted Christian leaders and members from different denominations.

The session featured special prayers for peace in Nigeria, good governance, national security, and a peaceful 2027 general elections.

NOCRELA is an umbrella body of Christian leaders across the 19 Northern states and the FCT. The organization has, in recent years, intensified advocacy for peaceful coexistence, national unity, and civic responsibility through prayer meetings, dialogues, and community engagements.

With insecurity, economic hardship, and political tensions dominating national discourse ahead of 2027, faith-based groups like NOCRELA have positioned prayer and moral guidance as key contributions to nation-building.