TheCable

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari was on Friday represented by Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, at Jumat prayers that held at the national mosque, Abuja, in company of other Muslim faithful.

According to Garba Shehu, head of Buhari’s media team, “the Jumat prayer is the first in a series of week-long activities marking the commencement of the inauguration of a new president for the country”.

“Christians across the country would hold prayers in churches for the same purpose on Sunday. The formal oath-taking to swear in the new president would take place on May 29, 2015,” he said.

“At the well- attended service, the chief Imam of the national mosque in Abuja, Kabiru Mohammed admonished the congregation present and the political leadership of the nation to take the issue of trust seriously, as the creator will call everyone to task based on what we do with responsibilities entrusted to us, both as individuals and public officials.

“In the message, the people were warned to be careful of what they do with opportunities and resources given to them or put in their care for the common good as almighty God would demand explanation for our actions or stewardship.

“The chief imam said special prayers for the nation, the people and the leadership and urged all Nigerians to work for the unity of the country. The sermon to the worshippers in the mosque was said in the three major Nigerian languages of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa as well as English and Arabic.”

The service was graced by prominent Nigerians such as Atiku, who represented the president-elect, Namadi Sambo; Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the emir of Kano and former Central Bank governor;and the Etsu Nupe.