From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi; Tony John, Port Harcourt; Noah Ebije, Kaduna and Abel Leonard, Lafia
Easter is regarded as of the major festivities in the Christian faith, as it marks the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Nigeria, the Federal Government would, on a yearly basis, declare Good Friday and the Easter Monday public holidays. This enables Christians who might so wish to travel and celebrate the season with loved ones.
In this report, some Nigerians spoke on how they celebrated the Easter season.
I was at my duty post on empty stomach – Nosa Ordia, journalist, Makurdi
All through Saturday night, my phone was off because we didn’t have power supply. But by Sunday morning, that is, the Easter Sunday, I got a call from a colleague who asked me to join them at the house of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on the request of the APC Publicity Secretary. He said we were proceeding to Buruku LGA to cover a Thanksgiving Mass of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, at St Clement Catholic Church. So I spent my Easter covering the event from church to reception. We only returned to Makurdi after 6pm. When I returned, I was struggling with how to send my stories and all these were on empty stomach. It was not easy but we praise God for the Easter celebration.
It was exciting – Josephine Nyiakula, journalist, Benue
My Easter was well celebrated. I spent much of the time in the church, related with friends., some of my little ones had their sacrament of Baptism, it was quite interesting and it was so joyous to see the day again.
Sometimes, we don’t cherish these things until when we don’t celebrate them like during the COVID-19 period when Easter was not celebrated. Then, I missed the Tiv hymns they used to sing during the Easter vigil. So this time, I was excited even though it was stressful, going to church, coming back, going again, coming back late at night. Wow! But it was very exciting.
We had a beautiful family time – Ruth Ugba, humanitarian worker, Benue
I spent my Easter in Adikpo, Kwande LGA of Benue State with my father-in-law, who was hospitalised and so we went to visit him. On same Easter day, he was discharged and we took him home. We also handed him a big goat to thank God for His healing mercies upon his life and to celebrate the Easter. After the handover, we slaughtered the goat for him, cooked Pocho, a special Tiv soup, made pounded yam and rice and everyone ate. It was a beautiful family time. We thank God for making us see and celebrate the 2024 Easter.
I had a quiet moment with God – Aniefon Dick, journalist, Rivers
My Easter day was quiet and a reflective one for me. As I couldn’t go to church, I spent my morning having a quiet moment with God, thanking God immensely for the gift of life and bringing me thus far. Thereafter, I delved into house chores, cleaned up the house and cooked. I was all indoors not because I didn’t have anywhere to go; but I decided it would be a quiet one for me.
Harsh economy affected celebration – Baridi Alloy-Khenom, trader, Rivers
The 2024 Easter celebration was like 2023 Christmas; there was nothing to write home about in terms of joy and festivities.
My family and I attended our Catholic Church services, got back home and chatted together. The economy is very harsh on people. So, government must act fast to halt further drift.
I went to church, ate little food with my family – Kabolo Demgoi, businesswoman, Rivers
I am very sad over the inability of government to improve the living condition of Nigerians.
I went to church, ate the little food we had in the house with my family and prayed God to help that price of things come down. We are sad.
Fear of the unknown stropped me from attending church programme – Lola Seriki, journalist, Kaduna
I was supposed to attend my church annual convention slated for March 28th to 30th at Alhari Camp, but decided not to go for fear of the unknown. I was home throughout; I received some few visitors, went for a party on Sunday to wine and dine with some friends. To God be the Glory for seeing this season full of hope.
l couldn’t invite friends and relatives – Emmanuel Ebong, graphic designer, Kaduna
I spent my Easter in good health, which is very important, but in an unusual manner compared to the past years. I couldn’t invite friends and relatives to my house for the Easter celebration as it used to be due to the harsh economic situation presently faced by Nigerians.
For the first time in years, I couldn’t afford chicken -Asabe Ndoma, Kaduan, journalist
For the first time in so many years, I couldn’t buy chicken, but we had fun with the little we had at home and even gave visitors. However, I thank God for the good health to enable me to witness the day and beyond. I pray to God to allow me witness the next Easter celebration in good health and in an improved economy.
We had family reunion -Elizabeth Ochapa, trader, Nasarawa
It was a truly special time for us to come together, especially to see my two beautiful grand children, Sam Shawn and Atara Shawn, my daughter and her husband to share in each other’s company, and reflect on the message of love and compassion that Easter embodies.
It was a moment of togetherness – Benerd Ibi, quantity surveyor, Nasarawa
This Easter was another time for us to prioritise moments of togetherness and cherish the blessings of familial love.
A time to reconnect with friends – Felix Sati, Nasarawa, civil servant
I chose to reconnect with old friends during this Easter. This Easter provided the perfect opportunity for us to rediscover the joy of friendship and create new memories together, reminiscing the enduring bonds of camaraderie that enrich the lives of Lafia residents.