After issuing a circular announcing a ministry-wide prayer and fasting session to invoke divine intervention for national protection and food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Saturday, claimed that the internal circular issued by its Human Resource Management Department regarding prayer sessions was aimed at addressing recent untimely and successive deaths of management staff within the ministry.
The internal circular dated June 11, 2025, and signed by the Director of Human Resource Management of the Ministry, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe O., mandated that directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, value chain desk officers and staff of the ministry were expected in attendance.
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The initiative was themed “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development.”
Mrs. Adedayo said the prayer session was aimed at invoking God’s guidance and support for the government’s efforts to ensure stable and sustainable food systems across the country.
Backtracking on the statement calling for prayer and fasting, the ministry in a fresh statement said:
“The Ministry’s attention is drawn to the internal circular of the Human Resource Management Department being circulated by online media.
” In this regard, the ministry wishes to inform that the prayer session is an initiative of the Human Resource Department to address the wellbeing of the staff just as the already existing monthly aerobic exercise and establishment of the gymnasium in the ministry are for physical fitness, as the regular medical check-up of staff are for their health.”
The Ministry further stated that:
“The prayer was to address the apprehensiveness of staff over the recent untimely and successive death of management staff of the Ministry. The staff also deemed it not out of place to pray for the country, hence the theme of the prayer sessions ‘Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development’.”
The Ministry emphasised that the initiative was not an official policy to tackle food security issues:
“It must be emphasized that this is NOT an official policy by the Ministry to address agriculture and food security issues in the country. But in response to the yearnings of staff who are apprehensive following the death of some of their colleagues in recent times.”
It added that: “The Ministry wishes to emphasise that the prayer session is an internal initiative of staff to address the concern over sudden deaths in the Ministry and not intended to replace or downplay the remarkable effort and achievement of the Ministry and other stakeholders in achieving food security in the Nation.”
Recall that staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had been directed in a circular to fast and pray amid the country’s deepening food crisis, as the government turns to divine help.
The report followed a circular dated June 11, signed by Adedayo Modupe, Director of Human Resource Management at the Ministry, announcing a three-day fasting and prayer programme intended to seek spiritual support for Nigeria’s food security efforts.
“This is to invite all staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and success in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve food security,” the circular read.
The spiritual sessions, themed “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development,” are scheduled to take place at Conference Hall ‘B’ of the Ministry’s headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The sessions will hold from 12 pm to 12:30 pm on designated dates.
According to the circular, staff are expected to observe fasting on Monday, June 16, and continue on June 23 and June 30.
