Oil Workers Hold National Prayer Session Amid Rising Petrol Prices, Economic Hardship

As Nigerians continue to endure economic difficulties brought on by the rising petrol pump prices, oil workers and companies under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have organised a prayer session, seeking divine assistance as the nation faces various challenges.

The oil workers, under the banner of Petroleum Industry Christian Fellowship International (PICFI), gathered at a National Prayer Conference in Port Harcourt. They expressed that while they strive to act ethically in the oil and gas sector, the country needs divine intervention.

During the three-day prayer event, Shola Idowu, the National President of PICFI, spoke to journalists. He explained that the organisation is an interdenominational Christian group made up of Christians working in both international and local oil and gas industries, as well as corporations linked to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

He revealed that the members include representatives from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Oando, NLNG, the Petroleum Training Institute, Warri Refinery Petrochemical, and others.

Idowu said, “Every year we hold an annual prayer conference, and this year we have gathered in the City of Port Harcourt for the 20th annual prayer conference for brethren in oil and gas industry to come together pray, seek the face of God, intercede for the industry, intercede for Nigeria for the betterment of the country and also the company that God has planted us to work for now.”

He added “The economic challenge in the country gives us a lot of concern. We know a lot of politics were involved, bad game but what we are doing is to be praying for the country, for industry and also to be doing what is right at work. With our prayers and right work standing with the Lord, we will be able to make changes.

“As a stakeholder in oil and gas, sincerely speaking we have been praying and continue to pray, we know what befell Nigeria is not ordinary and before we can get a change there is a place for God’s factor.”

Idowu however, “Appeal and plead under God, with the federal government and captains of the oil and gas industry to do what is right and salvage this country from being collapsed. So, we are pleading that in the name of the Lord, do what is right and salvage Nigeria from destruction.”

Also speaking, Rev Collins Edebiri, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Petroleum Industry Christian Fellowship International, said once corruption is tamped out of the Nigeria oil and gas industry, the nation will flourish.

“The petroleum industry is a very dynamic community. Don’t forget that oil is an international commodity, and so the dynamics and politics around that continue to play out. Nigeria may have felt better in the past, but a lot of things have also happened in the country.

“Leadership is a challenge. I keep saying it, corruption remains our biggest problem, but if we all can come together in righteousness and leave those vices that are destroying this country; politicians, leaders and people at different levels, Nigeria has a big chance”

He, however, called on citizens to remain hopeful and work with the government to better the country.