Nigerian 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 and peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections. Akpabio made the disclosure while speaking with St. Padre Pio TV/Radio during his visit to the religious site. He stated that he and members of his delegation visited the prayer ground to seek God's blessings for themselves, their families, and Nigeria.
Akpabio emphasized that the visit provided an opportunity for them to pray for the country and present their intentions at a site associated with St. Padre Pio. He noted that they came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for themselves, families, and their dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism. The Senate President expressed his gratitude for the experience, saying they were fulfilled to have touched the holy ground and dropped their intentions for St. Padre Pio to take to God on their behalf.
Akpabio also spoke about his family's personal connection to St. Padre Pio, recalling the critical illness suffered by his wife, Unoma Akpabio, in Germany. According to the Senate President, his wife spent six months in a coma after an operation reportedly went wrong and was placed on life support. He said he turned to prayer during the difficult period and sought the intercession of St. Padre Pio, using the picture of Pio to make a sign of the cross on her instead of putting off the life-support machine.
Akpabio shared that his wife subsequently regained consciousness, describing the development as miraculous. He stated that the hospital, up till today, is yet to understand what happened. The Senate President said the experience had deepened his personal devotion to St. Padre Pio, adding that as someone who has experienced the powers in where he is standing, he can understand it more than anyone else.
This was Akpabio's 10th visit to the prayer ground, and he said he and his family had continued to return to the site to express their gratitude. He recalled that when his wife was finally discharged from the hospital, she waited for three months before she could remember his name and those of the children. Akpabio described the prayer ground as a significant religious site and commended its upkeep.
Akpabio disclosed that his family had honoured St. Padre Pio by giving their son the baptismal name "Pio". He said the family also established the Pio Football Academy in his memory, with the initiative providing football training and scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The academy offers training and scholarships from nine years up to university level.
Akpabio concluded his remarks with a prayer for the repose of the soul of St. Padre Pio. The Senate President's visit to the prayer ground was aimed at seeking divine intervention in Nigeria's security challenges.
Key points
- Akpabio seeks God's blessings for Nigeria's peace and security.
- The Senate President has a personal connection to St. Padre Pio, having experienced a miraculous recovery through his intercession.
- Akpabio's family has honoured St. Padre Pio through their son's baptismal name and the establishment of a football academy.
