Matawalle Calls for National Prayer at NADCEL 2026 Jumu’ah

On Friday, during the special Jumu’ah prayer marking the commencement of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer for the nation and its leaders.

He described this as a civic responsibility and a religious obligation. The event took place at the Nigerian Army headquarters, specifically at the Central Mosque in Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

The theme of the prayer was "Protect the Nation, Serve the People." Brigadier General Usman Musa, the Director of the Nigerian Army Directorate of Islamic Affairs, delivered a sermon highlighting that security is primarily the government's responsibility. He urged communities not to remain passive in the face of criminal attacks, citing Maiduguri as an example.

The special Jumu’ah prayer was attended by senior military officials, including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shu Aibu, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abba.