ABUJA FEBRUARY 6, 2015 (CISA) – The Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri led by Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, began a nine-day Novena for peace on February 5.
Fr Gideon Obasogie, Director of Communications at the Diocese of Maiduguri has appealed to all Nigerians and well-wishers all over the world to join the diocese in praying for peace in the nation.
“The Diocese of Maiduguri has suffered greatly from terrorist activities of the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram. From the waves of recent attacks, we have seen for ourselves, a group of miscreants, successfully snowball into a sophisticated and ferocious terrorist network capable of pulling down nations,” Vatican Radio quoted Fr Obasogie as saying.
The novena for peace will end on February 14 coinciding with Nigeria’s Presidential and general elections.
President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge from former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in the vote, expected to be the most tightly contested since military rule ended in 1999.
The Independent Nation Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that polling will not be conducted in Boko Haram – controlled areas of the nation.
About 69 million Nigerians out of a population of 177 are eligible to vote.
