Staff at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have been asked to fast and pray over the nation’s food crisis as the government turns to divine help.
This was contained in a circular dated June 11 Adedayo Modupe, director of human resource management at the ministry, announced a three-day fasting and prayer programme aimed at seeking spiritual support for Nigeria’s efforts to improve food security.
“This is to invite all staff of the federal ministry of agriculture and food security to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and success in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve food security,” the circular reads.
The spiritual sessions, themed “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development,” are to take place at Conference Hall ‘B’ of the ministry’s headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
The prayers will be held from 12pm to 12:30pm on each date.
Modupe said staff are expected to observe fasting on Monday, June 16, and continue on June 23 and June 30.
SaharaReporters had on Thursday, June 12, reported that residents of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, joined their counterparts across the country to protest worsening economic hardship, insecurity, hunger, and what they described as anti-people policies under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Led by the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, demonstrators in Abuja gathered to express their frustration and demand urgent government action.
The protest coincided with Democracy Day, a date that commemorates Nigeria’s return to civilian rule and the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Addressing the crowd, Rex Elanu, the Federal Capital Territory Coordinator of the TIB Movement, declared, “The reason we are out today is because we have a government that has failed us—one that has forgotten about the welfare of the people, that has ignored the security of lives and property, and is instead busy chasing the 2027 elections.”
He highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Benue and Plateau states, lamenting the silence from government officials amid ongoing killings.
“People are dying of hunger across Nigeria, yet they are afraid to speak up or protest. The government is known for repression—arresting, jailing, and even killing peaceful protesters, and charging minors with treason. But that will not stop us today,” Elenu said.
He called out both President Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, urging them to prioritise the protection of citizens.
“Hunger is killing people. Injustice is killing people. And yet, people are too afraid to exercise their fundamental rights because the illegal Inspector General of Police has been arresting and brutalising protesters. It cannot continue like this,” he said.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that similar protests took place in several other states, including Lagos, Oyo, and Ondo.
In Lagos, protesters gathered under the Ikeja Bridge, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards demanding accountability and improved living conditions.
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