Enugu -The women of Umuaku Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia on Saturday held a dawn-to-dusk prayer and fasting session to appease God and ask for His mercy on the country.

A statement from the group in Enugu on Tuesday said the session was their own way of celebrating the country’s 51st Independence anniversary.

The statement was signed by Lolo Chinyere Igwe, the President-General of Umuaku Development Union (Women Wing), and Mrs Esther Onwuvunka, a national officer of Umuada Igbo Nigeria.

It that said their action was informed by the use of women in the Bible to heal and protect the land.

The women said they realised that Nigerians were no longer obeying God’s commandment to love one another for peace to reign, adding that such a situation could draw His anger.

They said that the formation of gangs like Boko Haram had brought fear and instability of life and property in the country, while also condemning sexual immorality among the youth and elders alike.

“Some of our young girls and some mothers have left our culture of dressing decently to go naked on our highways and streets in the name fashion.

“Some people have engaged themselves in kidnapping and armed robbery, while some are using their fellow human beings for rituals to make money.

“Hatred and wickedness have filled the hearts of so many people in Nigeria today,’’ the women said, while also blaming the fallen standards of education on movies produced in the country.

“The Umuaku women of Isuochi, after realising the above sins of our people, fasted and prayed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the forgiveness of our sins and repentance from those sins.

“They also prayed for the protection of our president and his family,’’ the statement added.

They expressed the hope that Nigerians would repent from those sins and turn back to God, while there was time for repentance. (NAN)