President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, GCON, has offered prayers for peace in Nigeria, an end to banditry and terrorism, and the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections during a visit to the Prayer Ground of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
Speaking with St. Padre Pio TV/Radio during the visit, Akpabio said he and other Nigerians at the prayer ground had come to seek God’s blessings for themselves, their families and the country.
“We are all from Nigeria. We came to offer prayers and get blessings from God for ourselves, families and our dear country that is currently being ravaged by banditry and terrorism.”
The Senate President said the visit was also an opportunity to place Nigeria’s challenges before God and pray for peace and security across the country.
He described the prayer ground as a place of deep spiritual significance to him and his family, noting that the visit was his tenth to San Giovanni Rotondo.
“I am very impressed that the place has been well kept. This is a holy ground. Some people who are here might not even understand the significance of this ground, but those of us who are adherents and followers of Pio believe in his intercessions.”
A Personal Journey of Faith
Beyond his prayers for Nigeria, Akpabio used the occasion to share the deeply personal story behind his longstanding devotion to St. Padre Pio.
He recalled a difficult period when his wife, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, became critically ill following an operation and, according to his account, remained in a coma for six months at a hospital in Germany.
Akpabio said that while his wife remained on life support, he turned to prayer, seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Padre Pio.
He recalled using an image of Padre Pio to make the sign of the cross over his wife while praying for her recovery.
“She had an operation that went wrong. I cried to Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and called on Pio to intercede.”
According to Akpabio, his wife subsequently regained consciousness, an experience he described as miraculous and one that strengthened his family’s faith.
“Miraculously, she woke up. That hospital, up till today, is yet to understand what happened.”
He said her recovery continued after she was discharged from the hospital, recalling that it took another three months before she could remember his name and those of their children.
For Akpabio, returning to San Giovanni Rotondo therefore carries a significance that goes beyond pilgrimage.
“This is my 10th time here. We are here today to give thanks to God and to thank Pio for always interceding for us.”
From Personal Faith to PIO Football Academy
Akpabio also spoke about how his family’s devotion to St. Padre Pio has influenced decisions in their own lives.
He said one of their sons was given the baptismal name Pio in honour of the saint.
The family also established PIO Football Academy, an initiative which Akpabio said provides football training and educational scholarships for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, beginning from the age of nine and extending to university level.
“We honoured Pio by giving our son the baptismal name Pio. We equally established a big academy which we called PIO Football Academy, where we train and offer scholarships to children of the poor from nine years up to university level, all in memory of Pio.”
The initiative combines football development with education, providing young people with opportunities to develop their sporting abilities while continuing their academic journey.
Prayers for Nigeria
While the visit carried a strong personal meaning for the Senate President and his family, Nigeria remained central to his message in Italy.
With the country moving towards the 2027 general elections and continuing to confront banditry, terrorism and other security challenges, Akpabio prayed for peace and stability across the federation and for a peaceful electoral process.
His visit to San Giovanni Rotondo brought together two important parts of his message: a personal expression of faith and a prayer for the country he serves.
For Akpabio, it was also another opportunity to return to a place his family has visited repeatedly over the years not only to make new petitions, but to give thanks for a chapter in their lives that continues to hold deep personal significance.
As he reflected during the visit, he and the other Nigerians at the prayer ground were leaving with a sense of fulfilment after presenting their intentions and prayers for their families and the nation.
At the heart of those prayers was a simple hope: peace for Nigeria, an end to insecurity, and a country able to move forward together.
