Senate President Godswill Akpabio has visited the Prayer Ground of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, where he prayed for an end to banditry and terrorism in Nigeria. Akpabio, accompanied by a delegation, sought God's blessings for themselves, their families, and the country. The visit was to touch the holy ground and drop their intentions for St. Padre Pio to take to God on their behalf. Akpabio described the prayer ground as a holy place, impressed by its maintenance.
Akpabio shared his family's experience with St. Padre Pio's intercession, claiming it played a role in his wife Unoma's recovery after a critical illness. She spent six months in a coma in a German hospital after an operation went wrong. Akpabio used St. Padre Pio's picture to make a sign of the cross on her, instead of removing life support. Miraculously, she woke up, an event he attributes to St. Padre Pio's intercession. The hospital has yet to understand what happened.
The Senate President recounted that his wife was 98% dead, but after his prayer, she recovered. She waited three months to remember his name and their children's names after discharge. Akpabio and his family have shown appreciation for St. Padre Pio's intercession. They named their son Pio in his honor and established the Pio Football Academy to train and provide scholarships for underprivileged children.
Akpabio's visit to the prayer ground was his tenth. He spoke during an interview with St. Padre Pio TV/Radio in Italy, according to a statement by Jackson Udom, Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media. Akpabio expressed his admiration for the prayer ground, saying some people may not understand its significance, but as a follower of St. Padre Pio, he believes in his intercessions.
The visit also aimed to seek blessings for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are conducted peacefully. Akpabio emphasized the importance of seeking divine intervention in the country's challenges. Banditry and terrorism have been significant concerns in Nigeria, with the government seeking solutions to address these issues.
Akpabio's delegation visited the prayer ground to pray and receive blessings from God for themselves, their families, and Nigeria. The Senate President expressed fulfillment from the visit, having touched the holy ground and shared their intentions with St. Padre Pio. He described St. Padre Pio as a significant figure, saying "May his soul rest in perfect peace."
The visit by Akpabio to St. Padre Pio's Prayer Ground highlights the importance of faith in addressing Nigeria's challenges. The Senate President's experience with St. Padre Pio's intercession demonstrates the impact of spiritual intervention in his family's life. The visit also underscores the need for peaceful and successful elections in 2027.
Key points
- Akpabio seeks blessings for Nigeria's end to banditry and terrorism.
- The Senate President attributes his wife's recovery to St. Padre Pio's intercession.
- Akpabio visits St. Padre Pio's Prayer Ground for the tenth time.
