…Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Obaseki, others felicitate Christians
Christians in Nigeria on Sunday joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Easter, with many political leaders in the country preaching messages of hope, love, peace and joy in the midst of daunting economic challenges facing the citizens.
Easter, a memorial of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after three days in the tomb, marks the end of 40 days of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving.
For many Nigerians, who have been bent under the weight of the twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and naira float, leading to harsh economy marked by high cost of goods and services, particularly food items, there was mostly nothing to celebrate.
But President Bola Tinubu, in trying to inspire hope, told Nigerians that just as Christians celebrate the victory of life over death as exemplified by the resurrection of Christ, the country “will triumph over its challenges as his administration remains firmly committed to this end”.
Tinubu, in his Easter message contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, emphasised love, sacrifice, and compassion as the patent themes of this solemn season.
“President Tinubu notes that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity is an emphatic lesson for leaders and all Nigerians to yield to selflessness and compassion, and be steadfast in the pursuit of a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation,” the statement said.
The President commended Nigerians for the sacrifices they had made in the past few months for the nation to be steered to the path of recovery and sustainable growth, assuring that the seeds of patience which they had sown were beginning to sprout and would in no time bring forth an abundance of good fruits.
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, said it was a time for Nigerians to come together to pray for the peace of the nation.
“Our leaders at all levels should follow the virtues that define this season – sacrifice, love, and charity – and come together to help all Nigerians resolve the differences that divide us,” Atiku said in a message posted on his X handle on Sunday.
“We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are as a result of another ethnic or religious group,” he said.
His Labour Party counterpart and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, called on Christians to use this Easter period to pray for Nigeria for God to “crown our efforts with success”.
Obi, in a message posted on his X handle, stressed that need for everyone to “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,” he said.
In his Easter message, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, urged Christians to reflect on the lessons of Easter celebration, charging them not to lose hope amid the economic headwinds.
“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,” Obaseki said.
“As a people, we may have been stretched beyond limits occasioned by the high cost of living and other economic headwinds, but we must not lose hope. Working together in unity, we can overcome these challenges and place our country on the path of sustainable growth and development.
“We must remain resilient and use the period of the celebration to seek the face of God, share our joy with neighbours and work towards a peaceful and progressive nation,” he said.
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, called on the people of the state to, in the spirit of Easter, emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ by living in love and promoting peace and unity.
In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor noted that the Easter celebration signalled an assurance of a new beginning, not only to Christians but for the entire state.
He emphasised that all the measures that his administration has taken so far were in the best interest of the state and for the general good of the people.
He urged the people to “remember the reason for the season” as they celebrate Easter, saying they should “remember to continue to put our government in your prayers at this time and always, so that collectively, we can achieve the goals we have set for ourselves in efforts to deliver on our mandate”.
Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, called on Cross Riverians to reflect deeply on the selfless life of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the redemption of mankind.
In an Easter message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, Otu maintained that it was only through selflessness and sacrifice that Cross River State and, indeed, Nigeria can attain the desired economic progress.
“Today represents a very significant moment in our lives as Christians. Significant in the sense that it is sobering that someone, whom no fault was found in him, sacrificed his life on the cross that we may live,” Otu said.
“His death on the cross and resurrection remind us all about selflessness, the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, love and compassion over hate. These were the cardinal planks of Christ’s teachings before his crucifixion,” he said.
Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, restated his sincere commitment to making life more meaningful for the people in the face of the current economic realities.
He, therefore, solicited the people’s continued support and prayers for the success of his administration.
“Easter is an important event in Christendom. It signifies the trial of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the pain and suffering he experienced leading to His crucifixion, and His ultimate victory over death through resurrection, which has brought salvation and redemption to mankind,” Eno said in a message titled “He Arose that We May Arise”.
