The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on Thursday, led the Muslim faithful to seek the face of God to end the drought or the prolonged lack of rainfall in the state.

Abubakar was joined by other traditional and religious leaders and farmers at the Eid praying ground in Esso in the Bida Emirate.

The intercession for rainfall followed weeks of drought during which farmers in the state had started lamenting the gradual drying up of their crops, which they said, might spell a poor harvest in 2024.

The Etsu Nupe, who spoke shortly after the prayer session, said the move was to seek for forgiveness and mercy of Almighty Allah.

According to him, Islam teaches Muslims to repent and seek God’s mercy in the event of any calamity that befalls society.

He, therefore, urged the Muslim Ummah to forgive one another and refrain from all acts prohibited by Islam, shun immoralities and go back to God in true repentance.

“Whenever there is a possible threat of drought, we are enjoined by Allah (SWT) through His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) that we should go back to Him, and seek His guidance and forgiveness.

“We seek Allah’s mercy and guidance and we hope this prayer will be answered by Allah (SWT) and will grant us not only rain but bless our crops and other things that we need to survive,” he said.

The Chief Imam of Bida Emirate, Sheikh Adamu Liman-Yakatun, who delivered a sermon at the prayer ground, listed some causes of drought.

“They include the failure of the people to redeem their pledges and some shoddy deals by some marketers and people who provide services, among others.

“Even these unnecessary killings of innocent citizens can be responsible for rainfall shortage including our bad characters,” the Sheikh said.

The Chief Imam prayed for sufficient rain for farmers to obtain bumper harvests and asked God to end the hardship that Nigerians face everywhere they live across the country.

PUNCH