As Christians all over the world mark this year’s Easter, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has charged religious leaders in the state to use this period to pray for a total defeat of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the global village.
Ikpeazu gave the charge while distributing some palliatives, food items and cash donations to churches for onward delivery to vulnerable groups in their midst as part of Government’s measures to cushion the effects of the lockdown.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu disclosed that having recognised the hardship occasioned by the lockdown, government decided to ameliorate people’s sufferings by using the Church as a vehicle to get to the most vulnerable groups among them.
He commended Church leaders and other stakeholders for their cooperation so far and called for sustained prayers towards an end to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In their response, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Apostle Emmanuel Agomuo, thanked the Abia State Government for reaching out to the people.
Meanwhile, the 2019 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has felicitated with the people of the State on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.
In a release signed by his Media Assistant, Ferdinand Ekeoma and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Saturday, Otti warmly sent his message of love and solidarity to Abians for the privilege of being alive to once again commemorate the death and resurrection of the saviour of mankind, Jesus Christ, whose victory over death brought eternal hope to the Christendom.
Otti reminded Abians on the need to draw inspiration from the Supreme and most memorable sacrifice put up on the cross by Jesus Christ to cleanse the sins of mankind, by exhibiting acts of heroic altruism and solidarity to one another, especially at this time of global health crisis created by the Coronavirus pandemic.
He enjoined Abians to continue to apply all individual safety measures, while adhering strictly to the ones put in place by government to halt the spread of Coronavirus, and prayed God to continue to protect Abians until the virus is completely defeated.
In Imo state, Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has commended the people of the state for their unalloyed support and understanding since assumption of office.
Uzodinma, in his Easter message through a statewide broadcast, monitored by DAILY POST on Saturday morning, said without their prayers, his administration would not have succeeded towards addressing some myriads of challenges facing the State.
He felicitated with the people of Imo state on the occasion of the Easter celebration and urged them to remain steadfast and supportive as government at all levels were taking proactive measures to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic, which is currently threatening humanity in the globe.
Uzodinma said, “Let us emulate Christ and bear our present COVID-19 hardships with the uncommon patience and perseverance with which Christ bore his passion and tribulations before his crucification.”
