NIGERIA: Women in turbulent Delta region pray for peace

Record ID: 235201

  • Title: NIGERIA: Women in turbulent Delta region pray for peace
  • Date: 25th July 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRAYER SESSION ORGANISER, ALAIDE SYLVA, SAYING: "I know that His Excellency the Governor is doing his best in calming the militant issue. I don't even want to use the word militant because I don't think it will apply anymore after today. After this three days of fasting I doubt if we are going to be able to hear that word anymore, because I believe in what we are doing here today. I know that you didn't come here to play, it is out of concern as mothers of the state to pray, to cry to the lord to salvage us." VARIOUS OF WOMEN KNEELING DOWN AND PRAYING WOMAN PREACHING ALAIDE KNEELS DOWN AND PRAYS
  • Embargoed: 9th August 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: War / Fighting
  • Reuters ID: LVA9LUMN2NQEP1BALUNN2EYB46WH
  • Story Text: Women in the Niger Delta state of Bayelsa have held a three-day session of prayer and fasting against incessant kidnappings of foreign oil workers by militants in the oil-rich region.
    The armed groups' efforts to sabotage the oil industry has also slowed production in the world's eight largest exporter of crude. They claim to be fighting for a greater share of the riches that come from the region which remains impoverished and underdeveloped.
    President Umaru Yar'Adua has made the resolution of the Delta's problems a test of his administration's effectiveness in Africa's most populous country.
    The event was organised by the state governor's wife, Alaide Sylva, in order to seek a spiritual solution while the region's leaders seek a political one.
    "We have come to seek the face of the lord in our problems; I know His Excellency the governor is doing his best in calming the militant issue, I don't want to use the word militant, because I doubt after these three days of fasting, if we are going to hear that word anymore, because I believe in what we are doing here today. I know you didn't come here to play, it is our concern as mothers of the state to pray, to cry to the lord to salvage us," Sylva said.
    About a quarter of Nigeria's 2.5 million barrels per day crude production remains shuts in due to militant activity in the Niger Delta.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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