TheCable

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared three days of prayers for “the quick recovery and early return” of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement on Monday, Chinonso Obasi, president of the association, appealed to Nigerian students within and outside the country to partake in the exercise scheduled for Wednesday.

Obasi said the return of Buhari would serve as a boost to the anti-graft war.

“Nigerian students would within the three days, starting from Wednesday March 8, 2017 join other patriotic citizens to intercede on behalf of the president, who has been on extended medical vacation in the United Kingdom,” he said in a statement.

“As leaders of tomorrow and champions of a better Nigeria, we should not be left out in the national call for prayers for the president, especially now that his presence is direly needed for the country to navigate its way out of economic recession and political despair.

“We therefore enjoin every student in Nigeria’s tertiary institution to join their hearts in prayer to God to heal our president, because we believe that the prayers of 40 million Nigerian students would bring quick recovery and rejuvenation of President Buhari.

“It is our belief also that the early return of Mr President to the country after he must have well rested would increase the tempo of the anti-corruption battle, which is the cornerstone of his mandate.”

Obasi told Christians and Muslim students to round off the prayers during the Friday Jumat prayers and Sunday services nationwide.

Many groups and individuals have declared prayers for Buhari who left for UK on January 19 after transferring power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Although Buhari has extended his leave indefinitely, on Sunday, he told Yahya Bello, governor of Kogi state,  that he would soon return to the country.