Led by African priests, Scottish and Nigerian faithful recently gathered for prayers across various Churches to reflect and pray for the travails of the West African country.
On Saturday, 6 March 2026, when Christ’s faithful from different Churches gathered at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Helensburgh, the Administrator, Fr. Gregory Zungdet, who explained that “The focus this year was on Nigeria, and the programme was planned and organised by the Christian women in Nigeria,” spoke in glowing terms about Nigeria yet lamented that, sadly, the once great nation is taking a nosedive.
At the occasion which saw Nigerians in their beautiful attire, representing the different ethnic groups in the oil-rich nation, Fr. Zungdet said, “As a proud son of Nigeria now serving here in the beautiful stillness of Scotland, I stand before you with a heart that is both heavy and hopeful.”
Nigeria, ‘Giant of Africa.’
During the occasion which saw both the Scottish and Nigerian communities gathered in prayer, he revealed that “Nigeria is often called the ‘Giant of Africa.’ We are a land of vibrant colours, of over 250 different ethnic groups, with a coastline that meets the Atlantic with the same energy that fuels our people. We are a nation of unmatched resilience and intellectual brilliance.”
The Administrator of St. Joseph’s Helensburgh, Fr. Gregory Zungdet, with Nigerian families at the event
The cleric acknowledged that though Nigeria is “Rich in mineral and human resources,” but decried that “Yet, today, the Giant is weary. The giant is gasping for breath.”
Speaking further, he noted that “Today is particularly special for me and the few Nigerians gathered here, because the World Day of Prayer was actually written and prepared by the Christian women of Nigeria.”
A nation plagued by corruption
Stressing that “Nigeria today carries a yoke that no people should bear alone,” the cleric lamented about “The plague of corruption, where the wealth meant for the many is devoured by the few, leaving our infrastructure in ruins.”
The Administrator of St. Joseph’s Helensburgh decried what he termed the “shadow of terrorism, where names like Boko Haram and ‘bandits’ have become synonymous with the kidnapping of innocent school children.”
He bemoaned the neglect of the Girl-Child, which creates a situation “where in many parts of our land, the dreams of young girls are cut short by poverty or lack of access to the education that should be their birthright.”
On religious persecution, he denounced the fact that “the simple act of gathering for mass or worship can become an act of martyrdom,” stressing that “In all these, Women and the girlchild are often the main targets for abduction, forced marriage, and sexual violence.”
Women suffer significant risks in Nigeria
The priest, who is a clinical psychologist, regretted that “The physical travail of womanhood in Nigeria includes significant health risks,” adding that “Nigeria continues to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.”
At the occasion which had the theme “I Will Give You Rest: Come”, based on Matthew 11:28-30, the priest maintained that it is a “direct response to the ‘travail’ —the deep physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion—that many Nigerian women carry today.”
Some women and children who were in attendance
He further listed the woes that women go through in Nigeria, urging for urgent action to address the anomalies.
“Access to quality, affordable prenatal and postnatal care remains a major hurdle, especially in rural areas.
“A high percentage of married women still lack the autonomy to make independent decisions regarding their own reproductive health.
“Women remain significantly underrepresented in Nigeria’s political landscape, making it difficult to pass laws that protect their specific interests (such as the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill).”
Fr. Zungdet explained that “Today, we join the wave of prayer traveling across the globe. We bring the ‘Calabash’ of Nigeria—a symbol of our daily sustenance and our divine provision—and we lay it at the feet of Christ.”
‘Come to me… and I will give you rest.’
Addressing the congregation, the priest said, “To my brothers and sisters in Nigeria, I say- Hold on. To my brothers and sisters here in Scotland: Thank you for walking with us. The invitation remains open: ‘Come to me… and I will give you rest.’”
Speaking on the essence of the gathering, the former chancellor of Bauchi Diocese clarified that the World Day of Prayer “is a testament that humanity is one. By praying for Nigeria here in Scotland, you are helping us carry the yoke. You are proving that we are all children of the same Father.”
Team Nigeria at St. Joseph’s Helensburgh
He underscored that “To find rest, we must learn from Him—to be ‘gentle and humble of heart.’ For Nigeria, rest will come when justice flows like the River Niger. It will come when the girl-child in the North can carry a book instead of a burden.”
The fide donum priest of Bauchi Diocese to the Archdiocese of Glasgow assured that succour would come “when our leaders realise that power is for washing feet, not for crushing spirits.”
Highpoints of the event were special prayers “for the Girl-Child in Nigeria” for God to “protect them in their classrooms, inspire them in their dreams, and shield them from those who wish to silence their voices.”
Christians urged on prayer, resilience, support for the persecuted
In a related development, the administrator of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fauldhouse, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus Ikpa charged the faithful on prayer, resilience and support for the persecuted.
Delivering his homily on the World Day of Prayer, If Ikpa said, “we come together beneath the simple, burning light of a single promise: come to me, all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).
“Nevertheless, on this day of prayer, let us consciously remember those having the severe burden at this moment, those who are persecuted across the world.”
The Canon Lawyer lamented that “many of our brothers and sisters who face attacks on their villages and churches, kidnappings of children and students, forced displacement, the decision to flee or stay, the trauma of losing loved ones and livelihoods.
The administrator of St. John the Baptist Church, Fauldhouse, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus Ikpa and parishioners. Credit: St. John the Baptist Church, Fauldhouse Facebook Page
“In other places, believers are jailed for prayer, silenced by laws and intimidation, or forced to choose between faithfulness and survival. These are not statistics: they are mothers, fathers, pastors, students, children whose daily burdens include the ache of hunger, the fear of violence, the grief of burial without ceremony, the shame of lost dignity, and the spiritual weariness of unanswered questions.”
The cleric maintained that “the bible does not promise that pain will evaporate, but it gives a lifeline — practices and truths that shape courage and community.”
Urging all to take concrete steps “out of despair towards hope,” the priest invited the faithful prayer and confession, building a strong sense of community, and to practice honesty.
Speaking further, the former Vicar General Administration of Bauchi Diocese underlined that “the Church is called to be a family,” stressing that “sharing practical aid, shelter, food, legal help, counselling and the simple presence of companionship” are crucial to a good Christian life.
Ikpa reminded all about the need to embrace “tenderness in the face of suffering” while urging Christians to “hold fast to promises of justice and restoration.”
Resist evil through active nonviolence, advocacy
The fide donum priest of Bauchi Diocese to the Archdiocese of St. Andrew’s and Edinburg who recently bagged a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Education from the University of Jos, in his home country of Nigeria advised believers to “resist evil through active nonviolence and advocacy.”
He also invited them to “pray for persecutors, protect the vulnerable, advocate for the oppressed with governments and NGOs, support educational and reconciliation efforts, and provide resources for trauma healing and rebuilding.”
On further call to action, he invited all to embrace “sharing bread and prayer in community renews identity and hope.”
The cleric charged the faithful on daily prayer and supporting “organisations that aid refugees and persecuted communities” through “hospitality to displaced families.”
Fr. Ikpa encouraged all to “equip local churches to provide trauma care, schooling, and legal help.”
He assured that God is close “to every family that fears, to every community bowed down by violence, loss, hunger, discrimination or exile.”
The event attracted many faithful from various Churches in Fauldhouse, which included the host, St. John the Baptist, Salvation Army Church, and St. Andrew’s Church.
