Saraki, Governors, Others Preach Peace at Easter
As Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has admonished Nigerians to continue to live in peace and unity in the spirit of the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in order to move the nation forward.
In his Easter message issued yesterday, he equally appealed to Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) -led federal government, assuring them that the government was working hard to overcome myriad of challenges confronting the country.
Saraki also called on the citizens to be optimistic and stay focused. “My message is for us to live in peace and unity. I know that we will continue to make sacrifice, and we should be hopeful that the country will get better. We should be hopeful that we will attain our promises with time. We just have to stay focused and determined and should not get distracted. I’m sure that at the end of the day, we will get there.
“But the most important thing is that there must be unity and peace, and we must be able to come together and support government to be able to do our best. People should not give up. They should be rest assured that all is going to be well,” the Senate president noted.
Wife of the Kogi State Governor, Mrs. Rashida Bello, has charged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of Easter and offer selfless services for the development of the country as she also enjoined the people of the state to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari as he leads the country out of recession.
The state first lady in an Easter message signed by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Olamide Adesoro, said the present situation in the country demanded collective efforts from the people.
According to her, since Easter celebration is about selflessness as exhibited by Jesus Christ, the people should also endeavour to think of how the country can move forward with their collective efforts.
Bello, who is also the founder of the Kogi Women and Youth Advancement Foundation (KOWYAF), however, pledged to continue to contribute to the development of the people of the state.
She said the foundation and other initiatives she had put in place would continue to collaborate with other organisations with the aim of making life more meaningful for the people.
The first lady therefore urged the people to continue to pray for the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and his team in order to be able to make the state a place of pride in Nigeria.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has felicitated with Christians on the celebration of Easter, urging them to emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that will advance the course of development.
In an Easter message, Wike said Easter exemplifies the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ to save mankind, noting that as individuals, Christians must take into consideration the welfare of others.
He called on the people of the state to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the state as they reflect on the ideals of Good Friday and Easter celebrations. The governor assured the people of state that he would continue to make sacrifices for the state, defend its interests and ensure that the people always enjoy good governance. He said Easter is a period of fresh beginning, forgiveness, love and friendship, urging the privileged to reach out to the less privileged as everyone works to deepen the culture of true Christianity. While wishing the people of the state a happy Easter celebration, Wike assured them of their security before, during and after the celebrations. Aregbesola Urges Nigerians to Keep Hope Alive The Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has charged Nigerians on the need to keep hope alive despite of the daunting economic challenges being faced by the people. He said it is this situation that the citizens can be galvanised towards contributing their quota to the overall progress of the country. This was the summary of the governor’s message to Nigerians as Christians all over the world celebrate Easter to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ. Aregbesola, in the message signed by the his Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, urged Christians to reflect on the significance of Easter celebration in their dealings, not only with other Christians, but with people of other religions.
He said Nigerians must eschew bitterness and all forms of violence, stressing that the progress, peace and security of the nation is anchored on good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence.
According to the statement, “I urge you all to let the significance of the celebration reflect in our relationship with one another both Christians and the people of other religions. There is no doubt that these are tough times in our country but we must all keep hope alive that life will be better.”
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has urged Nigerians to live in peace and harmony as well as embrace one another as one great family created by God.
In his Easter message issued yesterday, the governor charged Nigerians to take the lessons of Easter as a practical guide to life. He noted that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through sadness, pain and despair at crucifixion, also embodies hope, liberation and victory over darkness as evidenced in the resurrection.
El-Rufai stressed that people of faith must not deviate from the lessons of the resurrection. “Through tough and calm times, people of faith have an example to emulate. Easter is a pointer to the power of hope and a demonstration that sacrifice ultimately brings liberation and hope,” El-Rufai said.
He expressed hope that the universal message of a common humanity would spur Nigerians to uphold peace and harmony, and to always embrace others as one family under God.
Love One Another, Okowa Urges Nigerians Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged Nigerians to show love for one another in the face of the challenges confronting the nation.
The governor in a goodwill message on Saturday in Asaba, by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, to mark this year’s Easter celebrations, urged Christians to reflect on the import of Easter celebrations in their dealings, not only with other Christians, but with people of other religions. He said Nigerians must eschew bitterness and all forms of violence, stressing that the progress, peace and security of the nation is anchored in good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence
“I urge you all to let the significance of the celebration reflect in our relationship with one another both Christians and the people of other religions. There is no doubt that these are tough times in our country,” he stated.
“Intolerance and impunity continue to rear their heads through sectarian violence. But, rather than succumb and feel threatened about these uncertain times, we should rise to the fact that these are trials that are supposed to strengthen our resolve to confront our challenges,” Governor Okowa added. He reminded Christians that having gone through forty days of fasting and praying, Easter was a better time for them to purge themselves of those weights that “have impeded our progress as a people over the years by demonstrating love in its fullness not only to one another but also to our society.” Dickson Tasks Nigerians on Forgiveness, Patriotic Service Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has renewed his call on Nigerians to sink their political and religious differences and work together to promote the collective interest and development of the country.
The governor made the call at the Easter Cantata programme organised by the state government to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House in Yenagoa. Describing Easter as a special season of love and sacrifice in Christendom, Dickson urged Christians to reflect on the life and times of Jesus Christ who paid the supreme price to save mankind and put His teachings to practice in all their dealings. He emphasised the need for Nigerians particularly Christians to forgive one another and work for the peace, stability and development of the country as there cannot be any meaningful progress in any society where hatred and unforgiveness hold sway. Dickson, who read the only bible lesson of the service drawn from Mark 16:1-7, expressed gratitude to the church, other leaders and people humbled before an Almighty God.” Corruption, Recession will Soon Be History, Say CAN The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, has said the menace of corruption and economic recession currently bedeviling the country will soon become history.
Ayokunle gave this assurance yesterday in his Easter message to Nigeria which was signed by his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Adebayo Oladeji. He assured Nigerians that the power of Jesus Christ resurrection would not only end the menace of corruption but bring the economy out of the wood very soon. The cleric prayed to God to put into an end to the economic hardship as He rolls away the stone from the tomb of Jesus Christ.
He said: “I wish all Nigerians a happy Easter in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. It is a season of hope, joy and restoration. “The Lord that rolled away the stone from the mouth of the tomb to put the enemy to shame will also roll away all the causes of economic hardship from our nation in the name of Jesus. “Corruption will be a thing of the past. As earthquake came to help in removing all hindrances to the resurrection of Christ for a glorious dawn to emerge, the God of heaven will divinely intervene to bail our nation out of economic downturn in the name of JesusChrist.”
Ayokunle, who recalled the agony of the disciples of Jesus Christ over his death and how their sadness turned to joy on the resurrection morning, is optimistic that the future of the country would be characterised by abundance, joy and celebrations.
Ahmed, Atunwa Call for Unity As Christians celebrate Easter across the world, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, yesterday called on the people of the state across all socio-religious affiliations to be more united and renew their commitment to moral rejuvenation of the state. Ahmed made the call in Ilorin in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, to mark this year Easter celebration.
The governor who congratulated Christians for the successful completion of lent, said they must imbibe the lessons of the holy period and allow them reflect on their daily life. According to the statement, “I urge Christians to remain committed to the service of God and humanity. “You should be determined to show affection, care and sympathy to all and sundry as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. “As you came out pure and simple from this spiritual rejuvenation, you are expected to live an exemplary life of Jesus Christ.”
Ahmed also called on Kwara people to pray for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government in its determination to right the wrong and restore dignity and honour to Nigeria. The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to serve the people of the state and fulfill his electoral promises. Also, in his Easter message, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulrasaq Atunwa, has urged Nigerians to continue to keep hope alive despite the various challenges confronting the country.
He said it was by so doing that the people of the country can work towards a new Nigeria. The former speaker who is currently representing Ilorin West, Asa and Ilorin East federal constituency at the National Assembly, disclosed this in Ilorin in a statement issued to mark the Easter celebration.
Daniel: Renew Covenant with God Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has enjoined Christians to use the Easter period to renew their covenant with God and imbibe the spirit of love, peace and selfless service to humanity as exemplified by our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In his message to the people on the universal occasion, Daniel, who is also the Asiwaju of Remo Christians stated that Easter is a period when Christian the world over mark the redemption of our souls through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He therefore called on Christian faithful to use the period to rededicate themselves to God and reflect on the significance of Easter, which is the bedrock of the Christian faith. “It is a period when, after the 40-day Lenten period in which we deny ourselves of comfort and celebrate God’s ultimate sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for mankind. We must rededicate our time on earth to selflessness and to loving our neighbors and to remind ourselves that no matter who we are, or how much we achieve, we each stand.