Nigerians have been advised to persevere in prayer for the safety of the Chibok girls and for divine guidance for President Goodluck Jonathan and the armed forces as they work to secure their release.

The call was made by the wife of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Ekaette Unoma Akpabio at a solemn assembly organised by the state government to mark 100 days after the abduction of more than 250 girls from a school in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

Addressing a group of girls who attended the prayer session from various schools across the state, the governor’s wife said: “Just thinking about them and their situation brings tears to our eyes. They are young people like you and I know as innocent children, God will hear your prayers and bring your friends back to their parents.

“It is a difficult time for our nation. We must persevere in prayer for the safety of those young girls. But we must not also stop praying for Mr. President and our security agencies, for God to give them the courage and wisdom they need to deal with this challenge. Only God can reward the wonderful, self-sacrificing work of our security forces. We must keep praying for them, because if we stop praying for them they will make mistakes.”

The governor’s wife also used the occasion to warn the school children to be on guard against child trafficking and baby factory syndicates who specialise in abducting or enticing young girls with gifts only to lure them into prostitution and baby factories where they are forced to have babies who are later sold.

She advised the children to take full advantage of the state’s free education programme and to watch out for predators whose aim is to truncate their education and ruin their future.

“I will give all of you my phone number after this event. Call me directly any time you feel you are in trouble or if anyone tries to take advantage of you” she told the children.

The event which featured prayer, benediction and praise sessions was attended by the state’s Deputy Governor Lady Valerie Ebe, the Secretary to the State Government, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, members of the state executive council and girls from some secondary schools in the state.