The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has urged Nigerian leaders to govern with wisdom and fairness, adding that the Easter season was not only one occasion for celebration, but presented a call to action.
The archbishop also urged all leaders, at every level, to heed the lessons of Easter and to govern with wisdom, fairness, and a genuine commitment to the common good.
This was contained in the CAN President’s Easter message, on Saturday, where he also urged Christians to embody the virtues of love and the lessons of Easter.
“In the midst of our daily challenges and triumphs, Easter stands as a timeless reminder of hope, renewal, and redemption. It is a season that calls us to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made for humanity and the triumph of light over darkness.
“The lessons of Easter hold particular relevance for Nigerian society today. In a time marked by uncertainty, we are called to embody the virtues of love for one another.
“Just as Christ’s resurrection brought new life and hope to the world, so too can we, as a nation, rise above our differences and difficulties; and work towards a brighter future,” part of the message read.
Emulate love – Atiku
Former Vice President of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party presidential flag bearer in the last general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice which characterised the life of Jesus Christ.
In a message released by his Media Office in Abuja to mark the Easter celebration, the Waziri Adamawa described those two qualities as essential to the unity that Nigeria so desperately needs at this time when vested and provincial interests threaten to tear our nation apart.
The Waziri Adamawa also encouraged Nigeria’s leaders to use the opportunity of the Christian celebration of Easter to reflect on their stewardship to the people and the nation.
Obaseki greets Christians
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged Christians to reflect on the lessons of the Easter celebration, charging them not to lose hope amid the economic headwinds.
In his Easter message on Saturday, the governor wrote, “I heartily felicitate with our Christian faithful as we commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Easter is a time for reflection, love, sacrifice, renewal and hope. I urge that we use this opportunity to ponder on the lessons and purpose of the celebration and renew our resolve towards achieving a more progressive and prosperous Nigeria.”
Adeleke donates rice
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has restated his commitment to physical and stomach infrastructure as his government commences the distribution of rice for the celebration of both Easter and Eid-el-Fitr.
This was disclosed on Saturday in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed; a copy of which was sighted by Sunday PUNCH.
The distribution which started in the last 24 hours is billed to cover all major pressure groups in the state.
Already, the Christian Association of Nigeria has got the allocated bags of rice through its state leadership while the Muslim community has yet to get theirs, Sunday PUNCH reliably gathered.
Mbah preaches peace
Also, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has charged the people of the state to emulate the virtues of self-sacrifice and love as exemplified by Christ as they celebrate Easter.
Mbah also urged them to hold fast to their faith amid the present socio-economic challenges, adding that they would eventually become a thing of the past.
He stated this on Saturday in his Easter message to the people of Enugu State and the nation in general.
‘Nigeria is redeemable’
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will emerge stronger from the current economic and security challenges.
He stated this while felicitating people of the state, Nigerians, and particularly Christians on the Easter celebrations during his remarks at the Easter Cantata service held at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday.
This was conveyed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Saturday.
“I implore you to renew hope in the advancement of the state and the country at large. The situation of Nigeria is redeemable and the signs are beginning to manifest”, the governor said.
PDP advocates love
The Peoples Democratic Party has urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Easter by demonstrating love and pursuing national renewal, drawing inspiration from the sacrificial virtues exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ.
PDP, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, to mark Easter, on Saturday encouraged Nigerians not to let the current hardships, insecurity, and uncertainties diminish their faith and hope for a brighter future.
It stated, “Indeed, the coming of Easter, the celebration of the triumph of life over death serves as divine reassurance of the saving grace of God in the gift of Salvation to mankind and His willingness to bring succour in any adverse situation.
“Our Party urges Nigerians to reinforce the bond of unity and love by sharing with and supporting one another as this is the only way the nation can survive this perilous time.”
Obi greets Christians
The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians not to relent in their labour for a better Nigeria and to use the Easter celebration to seek divine intervention for the country.
He said that the country had continued to stagger under the spate of insecurity, soaring hunger and poverty, ballooning debts, galloping inflation, and mindless corruption that had pervaded every part of the country’s national life.
Obi said this in this goodwill message posted on his official X account to commemorate the Easter celebration on Saturday.
Ogun tightens security
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, has ordered for a round-the-clock surveillance of public spaces during and after the Easter celebration.
This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, and made available to journalists on Saturday.
He directed the area commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders to guard their area of jurisdiction against crime and criminality as the celebration of Easter peaks.
S’Kaduna christian leaders
The Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, has appealed for a helping hand to the less privileged during the Easter period celebration.
Kure who made the call on Saturday in his Easter message personally signed and made available to newsmen in Kaduna, congratulating Christians for successfully witnessing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Catholic archbishop of Lagos
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Dr Alfred Martins, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the food sector to tackle the ordeal of hunger, deprivation, and the high cost of living currently experienced by Nigerians.
These were disclosed in a statement obtained on Saturday from the church’s Director of Social Communications, Anthony Godonu; a copy of which was sent to one of our correspondents.
Martins said this while commemorating the Easter celebration on Saturday, where he preached for love, unity, and selfless services the Easter celebration had brought.
He urged that Nigerians should make deliberate efforts to tolerate one another as a peaceful co-existence had become more essential in the country.
- Additional reports by RAPHAEL EDE, DANIELS IGONI, AYOOLA OLASUPO, DELE OGUNYEMI, BANKOLE TAIWO, ISRAEL BULUS and DANIEL AYANTOYE
