Residents of Yola, the Adamawa State capital and its environs, yesterday converged at the NEPA Central Mosque Eid praying ground for special prayers seeking God’s intervention for rainfall.
Yola has been without rain for about 25 days as crops planted for this year’s rainy season have started drying up at the early growing stage leaving behind farmers in the state at the mercy of God.
Crops like maize and rice predominantly planted by farmers are withering as the rains have ceased for almost one month.
The Chief Imam of Demsawo Central Mosque, Mallam Salihu Usman, who led the Istisqa prayer for two rakats called for fervent prayers and repentance from various sins to receive God’s help.
He asked the congregation to desist from abusing constituted authorities and leaders at various helm of affairs and instead, support them in prayers for them to discharge their duties effectively at all times.
The cleric cautioned Muslims against failure to give alms (zakat) to the needy on time.
He blamed banditry and kidnapping as reasons for famine and drought.
The acting district head of Jimeta, Mohammadu Chubado, appreciated the people for coming out to attend the prayer and called for continued prayers until it rains.
A farmer, Aliyu Balla, who has cultivated 20 hectares of rice expressed fear that due to shortage of rains, the farm might have poor yield during the harvest season.
LEADERSHIP Sunday observed that women participation was higher than their male counterpart during the prayer that was conducted between 9 and 10am yesterday.
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