A religious leader, Prophetess Bosede Adimabua, has urged the 2014 intending Christian pilgrims to offer prayers in the holy land for solutions to the nation's challenges.

She made the appeal on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

Adimabua, who is also the President of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Kwara chapter, said that divine intervention was necessary for the country to overcome its problems.

She said that it was an act of patriotism and civic responsibility for the pilgrims to consider the nation in their prayers along other religious duties in the holy land.

She said the nation's present socio-economic, security and other challenges deserved the prayers of all the citizenry, especially as the country moves toward the 2015 general elections.

"I think this is a special opportunity for those that the Lord has chosen to embark on this holy pilgrimage to intercede on behalf of the nation through prayers.

"The journey to the holy land is by God's calling not by might, it therefore becomes an act of patriotism on the part of the pilgrims to assist the nation's leaders with prayers.

"They should therefore not be carried away with the euphoria of their religious calling to forget the nation in prayers.

"That is very essential to the future growth, progress and development of the country," Adimabua said.

She urged the pilgrims to maintain high standard of discipline and attitudinal behaviours and steer clear of any act that could tarnish the country's image.

Adimabua also appealed to the committee in charge of the welfare of the pilgrims to live above board in the discharge of their responsibilities while in the holy land.

She expressed satisfaction with the handling of the pilgrimage processes and thanked the government for putting in place an effective mechanism toward a hitch-free exercise.

"My special appeal goes to the pilgrims and the welfare committee to be good ambassadors of the country and to discharge their responsibilities with utmost humility," she said. (NAN)