As Christians all over the globe celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Friday Imaekhai has implored Nigerians to subordinate their primordial sentiments for the common good of the nation.
Archbishop Imaehai congratulated Nigerians for the successful conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections, urging the president-elect, General Muhamadu Buhari to see the whole country as one where citizens are free to reside and worship their God.
Imaekhai who gave the charge in his Easter message, praised the out-going president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for deepening democracy in the country, urging the in-coming president to build on it, so that the practice of democratic governance will be a permanent feature in the country’s body polity.
He encouraged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood, and learn not to bother about the ethnic affiliations of who ever is the president or governor, but should instead be concerned about the person’s capacity to deliver the sought after dividends of democracy.
“We are called to work together, walk together, live together, find solution to our challenges together and acknowledge the fatherhood of God by subordinating our primordial sentiments for the common good of our nation.
“We should not be bothered about the ethnic affiliation of whoever leads us as president or governor, provided such leaders are able to deliver the dividends of democracy to the led
The religious leader therefore charged leaders to listen to the yearnings of the mass majority of the people, and address the nagging issues of poverty, unemployment, insecurity and rising cost of living in the country.
“We call on government at all levels to address the nagging issue of poverty in our nation. Government should not pay lips service to the issue of poverty.
“We urge political leaders in the country to show their commitment to a better Nigeria by making sacrifices that will positively impact on the socio-political and economic challenges facing those at the margin of the society and put Nigerian on the path of economic recovery and real development.
He charged Christians, to emulate the saviour Jesus Christ, by exhibiting the Christian virtues of love, self-denial, peace, forgiveness, humility, honesty, accountability, and tolerance for which He died on the cross of Calvary.