A bus station primarily used by Christian passengers heading south was bombed killing at least 22 and injuring 65. Several buses were destroyed. Kano is the largest city in the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria. One of the buses targeted was full when the explosion happened, and was completely destroyed. Security in the city has been substantially tightened with the area of the explosion almost completely sealed off. In January 150 died in Kano in a series of co-ordinated attacks by Boko Haram. The group is fighting to overthrow the Nigeria government and create an Islamic state in the North. It is also believed to have a presence in Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer. It is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

Pray: for the families and communities affected by the killings pray also for the federal government to overcome those who do not mean well for Nigeria. (2Th.3:2-3)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21845402

1) Fighting oil theft: ‘Stop the theft’ is a campaign to raise awareness of the scale and consequences of illegal oil theft in the Niger Delta and to work with others to propose/advocate for long term and tangible solutions. 2) Crowd funding: ‘Think of 234Give’ as a tunnel. On one end are all those who want to help the country. On the other end are all those who need help. It is the connection linking donors and fundraisers with deserving charities and needy projects. 3) Diaspora voting: An initiative to secure a vote for each Nigerian in the Diaspora enabling Nigerians to build Nigeria together. 4) Promoting online education: ‘GAPS’ (Grow, Advance, Produce, Succeed) Academy aims to empower everyone to learn, share and bridge the gaps in their knowledge and experience. 5) Demystifying government finance: ‘BudgIT’ aims to retell the Nigerian budget and public data in a finer detail across every literacy span to stimulate citizen interests and discussions towards better governance.

Pray:that these start-up initiatives would achieve their aims and may God raise up more innovative agencies to support Nigeria back on to her feet. (Ps.121:1-2)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/05/nigeria-five-campaigns-oil

 

Christians are being asked to pray for Nigeria after a weekend of deadly attacks. Six people died when gunmen attacked the predominantly Christian village of Aduwan Gida in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) of Southern Kaduna on 23 February. The victims were villagers who had gathered to mourn the death of an elderly member of the community. The gunmen attacked the group at around 10pm. Victims reportedly included a mother and her six-month-old baby. The injured are being treated in hospitals in Kaduna and Plateau States Christian Solidarity Worldwide-Nigeria, said the attack resembled those by Boko Haram in recent years. ‘It is unfortunate that after the announcement of a ceasefire by elements of Boko Haram, we are still experiencing attacks resembling their style of operations,’ he said. 'We ask for continuing prayers for Nigeria and urge churches to be vigilant with regard to security, particularly as the Easter period approaches.’

Pray: for the relatives of all families murdered by ‘unknown attackers’ across Nigeria, may they know God’s peace and comfort. Pray also for security forces to give adequate protection. (Ps.23:4)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/appeal.for.prayers.for.nigeria.after.deadly.attacks/31718.htm

An official and others wept in Abuja after listening to the pastor of All Saints Church recount how 17 Christians were killed for refusing to renounce Jesus Christ. People also heard from Deborah Shetima whose husband was butchered last April, that her two children (7and 9 years-old) were abducted, then Boko Haram returned three months later and killed her third child. The Minister said, ‘If we have become a nation that does not put value on human lives then we are really in a bad place. Listening to these women and seeing what they have to carry alone one feels a sense of abandonment for them. They are invisible to the rest of us - that worries me. We must figure out who we really are; and what have we become as a people and as a nation.’ Also church leaders in NE Nigeria are saying Christians are scared to leave their homes after 8pm and too afraid of Islamic extremist attacks to attend church services. See: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13030003.htm

Pray: for an end to bombings, killings and abductions, provisions for widows and orphans without a source of livelihood and for desperate communities to know hope, peace and restoration. (Is.54:5; Pr.2:12)

More: http://www.punchng.com/news/ezekwezili-others-weep-as-bharam-victims-recount-woes/

More than 3,000 people have been killed since 2009 by Boko Haram, a northern-based extremist group once known as the Nigerian Taliban. John Onaiyekan, Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja, warned that the violence perpetrated by the extremist group is threatening the Muslim-Christian harmony in Nigeria with gun and bomb attacks against churches, schools, police stations, military facilities, newspaper offices and even the UN buildings. Militants also raid Christian homes demanding conversion to Islam or death. These attacks and massacres have fuelled concerns among Nigerian Christians and the cardinal said, ‘it becomes extremely difficult to convince the Christians that not all Muslims are killing our people, and that there are many Muslims who are sorry for what is happening to Christians.’ Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, yet more than half its population lives on less than $1 a day.

Pray: against militant groups feeding off rampant poverty and corruption as they recruit the poorest people into violence. May the government officials change their policies and revert to good governance. (Ex.23:6,7)

More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-muslim-harmony-in-nigeria-in-jeopardy-amid-attacks-by-islamic-extremists-89770/

  1. NIGERIA: North Korean doctors and evangelists killed
  2. NIGERIA: Factors fuelling fighting
  3. NIGERIA: Boko Haram militants suspected of deadly attacks
  4. NIGERIA: President says Islamists won't stop godly worship

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