By Gabriel Dike (Lagos), Ndubuisi Orji, Fred Ezeh (Abuja), Femi Folaranmi (Yenagoa), Tony John (Port Harcourt), George Onyejiuwa (Owerri), Noah Ebije (Kaduna), Laide Raheem (Abeokuta), Kenneth Udeh (Abuja), Okey Sampson (Umuahia), Sylvanus Viashima (Jalingo), Agaju Madugba (Katsina), Scholastica Hir (Makurdi)
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has urged Christians to see the Easter victory of Jesus Christ over death as a huge motivation that a new Nigeria is possible.
Obi said that it is also a strong indication that Nigerians will surmount the existing hardship and sing the great alleluia in the end.
Writing on his X handle, the former Anambra State Governor said: “I join the global community of Christians, especially Christians in Nigeria, in celebrating Easter – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“This great occasion brings to an end, the Christian Lenten season of fasting, prayers, and almsgiving, and ushers us into the season of glory and victory over death.
“For us in Nigeria, this very significant celebration holds vital promises of victory over our present myriads of challenges, if we do not despair.
“Our dear nation has continued to stagger under the heavy weight of high insecurity, soaring hunger and poverty, ballooning debts, galloping inflation, and mindless corruption that has pervaded every part of our national existence.
“Just as Our Lord Jesus, who made very painful sacrifices for the salvation of the world, which today we celebrate His glorious resurrection, we all must continue to labour, in unity, for the good of our nation, knowing that our labours will not be in vain.
“I, therefore, call on all Christians, in the spirit of Easter, to continue to pray for God’s intervention in our dear nation, so that even as we labour, as humans, for the sake of our nation, God will crown our efforts with success, and make the New Nigeria even more possible, beyond our human efforts.
“I wish everyone a very Happy Easter celebration.
On his part, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State called on the Christian faithful in Nigeria and Imo State in particular, to use the period of the Easter celebration to renew their hope for a better tomorrow.
Governor Uzodimma expressed optimism that the Federal Government of Nigeria, “under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is working hard to improve the economy,” adding, “we are already seeing some of the positive signs of success.”
Noting that Easter is the foundation of Christianity, Governor Uzodimma urged believers to “use the occasion of the Easter to rekindle and reinvigorate our love for one another, for our neighbour, for our State and our country.”
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged Deltans and other Nigerians to show love to one another and be willing to make sacrifices for the greater unity, peace and progress of the country.
Governor Oborevwori, in the Easter message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba on Sunday, reiterated that people should soberly reflect on what they need to do as a people in order to guarantee peaceful co-existence, while working towards a better future for all Nigerians.
He said: “As Christians, we must reflect on the import of Easter celebrations in our dealings, not only with other Christians, but with people of other faiths and convictions.
“We must eschew bitterness and all forms of violence, because the progress, peace and security of the nation rest squarely on good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians,” Oborevwori said.
His Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, while felicitating with people of the state, Nigerians and particularly Christians on the Easter celebrations, implored them to renew hope in the advancement of the state and the country at large.
Speaking during the Easter Cantata service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri expressed the optimism that Nigeria will emerge stronger from the current economic and security challenges.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement yesterday, quoted him as saying the situation of Nigeria was redeemable and that the signs were beginning to manifest.
He said: “My message for this Easter season is that of hope and renewal. From the beginning of our first tenure, we have preached love.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, urged the people of the state to emulate the virtues of self-sacrifice and love as exemplified by Christ.
Mbah also urged them to hold fast to their faith in the midst of the present socio-economic challenges, saying that they would eventually become a thing of the past.
His words: “I join Ndi Enugu and Nigerians in celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection embody self-sacrifice, forgiveness, infinite love, and victory over every challenge, all of which our state and nation need at a time like this.
“I urge us to be our brother’s keeper and extend a hand of fellowship to those that offended us. I equally enjoin us to remain unwavering in our service to our dear state and faith in the fatherland, rest assured that we shall overcome the present socio-economic challenges and the good times will ultimately return.”
Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Nwifuru, described Easter as constant reminder of God’s love and the promise of redemption for mankind as exemplified by the eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
In his Easter message, Taraba State Governor Dr Agbu Kefas urged Christians to use the occasion of this year’s Easter to intensify prayers for the state and Nigeria at large.
In a statement signed his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Honourable Emmanuel Bello, the governor noted that the country is in a state of both economic and security turmoil and the season is apt for prayers to God for solutions.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, while extending Easter greetings to the Christian community in the state, urged for continued interfaith harmony and prayers for lasting peace.
In a statement in Katsina by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Radda conveyed his warm wishes to all Christians celebrating Easter, and stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Katsina.
His Benue State counterpart, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia admonished Christian faithful to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice, care for the needy and love for all humankind, irrespective of tribe, religion or sect.
Governor Alia who described Easter as a feast and festival of triumph of faith over fear, said: “In these difficult times, the example set by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the pain, the sacrifice, the triumph and the message of love and hope echo with timeless resonance.”
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in an Easter message, urged the Christian faithful to use the period to emulate Jesus Christ and walk in His examples by promoting peace, unity and living in love.
Governor Fubara noted that the Easter celebration signals an assurance of a new beginning, not only in the life of an individual Christian, but for the entire State, adding that his administration will continue to chart the course of providing the required leadership.
In his Easter message, President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Owerri Metropolitan, His Grace Most Rev Luicius Iwejuru Ugorji, lamented that this year’s celebration is beclouded by general insecurity of life and property, pessimism, uncertainty and unmitigated poverty across the country.
He regretted that the current state of affairs has driven many compatriots to feelings of despair, cynicism and apathy, as a result of shattered dreams and aborted hopes.
His words: “Many of our fellow citizens stare with despondency at a future that appears to promise them little or nothing. As a result of this state of affairs, many young Nigerians, who should constitute the labour force to build up our economy, flee the country as economic refugees in search of greener pastures in foreign.
“We are celebrating Easter this year in an atmosphere that is beclouded by uncertainty, tension, and pessimism. The general insecurity of life and property across the nation is heightened by the recent hike in the kidnapping of school children for ransom, especially in the Northern part of the country. The decline in the value of the national currency is only surpassed by the alarming rate at which inflation is skyrocketing, making the price of basic commodities beyond the reach of the poor and vulnerable. Consequently, many families have been impoverished and are daily plagued by hardship, hunger and malnutrition.”
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, in his Easter message advised Nigerians to make more efforts to live in the spirit of brotherly love, unity, and selfless sacrifices that the Easter event presents to us. stressing
Expressing the virtues is an imperative for peaceful co-existence.
According to him, this year’s Easter season offers another opportunity to reflect deeply about the love of God for humanity who offered his Only-Begotten Son as a sacrificial lamb to redeem mankind from the shackles of sin and eternal damnation so as to enter into the joy of eternal beatitude.
On his part, Archbishop of Kaduna Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Manoso Ndagoso, called on Nigerians not to allow failures of the political class to distract their dreams of building a better country.
Bishop Ndagoso also encouraged the citizenry not to lose hope in the face of socio-economic hardship they are undergoing in the country, rather the difficult time should serve as a wake up call for nation building.
In his Easter message, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Odetoyinbo urged Nigerians to embrace hope at Easter despite the economic hardship.
He admonished Nigerians to learn from the manifestation of God’s power and the spirit of sacrificial love by burying their personal desires and ambitions and be generous in spending their lives for their fellow brothers and sisters.
“Let the message of Christ reach all men and women of goodwill that just as Christ laid down his life for our redemption so are we called to spend our lives in service to one another,” Bishop Odetoyinbo said.
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has felicitated with Nigerians, particularly members of the Christian faith on this year’s Easter, pleading for genuine commitment to common good from them.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the lessons of the season (Easter) hold particular relevance for Nigerian society, as the country and its people are in a time marked by uncertainty.
He said: “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.”
The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), in its message charged leaders at all levels, in the country, to use the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration to renew the virtue of selfless service.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, urged leaders to redirect their energies principally towards the wellbeing and happiness of the people.
Consequently, the opposition party urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the high cost of food, petroleum products, other essential commodities and services in order as to alleviate the suffering in the country.
Furthermore, the PDP implored Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter, which is celebration of “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to strengthen their hope in God and seek a national renewal by rekindling their love and commitment towards one another especially at this trying time.”
Also harping on the importance of peace and security, the senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, called on all Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his administration continues to lay the foundation for actualisation of the renewed hope agenda, which will give birth to prosperity.
The senator, in statement signed by his Media Adviser, Kayode Odunaro, appealed to all to practice the Christian virtues of sacrifice, patience, love and abiding faith for a better tomorrow as exemplified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the same vein, Senator Stella Oduah, who represented Anambra North in the 9th Senate, urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of humanity, tolerance and empathy in order to achieve a better nation desirable by all.
Noting that building a great nation requires sacrifice and endurance, she stated that citizens needed to put themselves in each other’s shoes before taking any action.
Former Senator, who represented Abia Central in the upper legislative chamber, Dr. (Mrs) Nkechi Nwaogu, urged Christians to use the Easter period as a time of sober reflection to pray fervently for the peace, unity and stability of our country Nigeria.
In the spirit of the Easter celebration, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, called for peace in the region.
He also felicitated the Muslim faithful in the country over the ongoing Ramadan fast, knowing that Christians and Muslims use the two occasions to pray fervently for peace and tranquility in the country.
“We must not forget that peace and love are precursors to development and progress, as we work for a rejuvenated Niger Delta region,” Ogbuku said
