SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with Christians on the occasion of Easter, just as Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and his Enugu state counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi also sent goodwill messages to mark the season.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Turaki Hassan, Dogara called on Christians to use the Easter period to pray for the restoration of peace and economic stability in the nation. He reminded Christians that Easter symbolises sacrifice and service to God and country.
This is as he urged Nigerians to emulate Jesus Christ who laid down his life for mankind. In like manner, the speaker said Nigerians should be their brothers’ keeper and make necessary sacrifices for their fellow country men and women.
“Times are hard, our country is going through difficult times occasioned by economic downturn. Government alone cannot do it. Our contemporary challenges require that we persevere in our prayers for leaders at all levels and the country for divine wisdom to enable us surmount them.
“This time calls for more patience, sacrifice, prayers and a renewed hope in the nation. We have passed through even more difficult situations before, this too shall pass away, so long as we remain steadfast in our prayers for leaders and the country,” the speaker stated.
In his message, Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, charged Nigerians not to use their positions to oppress others, but to learn from the Lord Jesus who used his power and position to serve and comfort others.
According to a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said, “It was not that the Lord Jesus lacked the power to overcome those who went to arrest Him, but in accordance with His divine mission. He submitted Himself to God’s will. He died for us to have salvation. Those in positions of authority who derive pleasure in intimidating, harassing and embarrassing others with the power the law of the land has vested in them should realise that there is a day of recokning.
“We must also stand for the truth because the Lord Jesus we are celebrating his death and resurrection at this period means the truth and he is for the truth. The current economic and political challenges we face now will surely lead us to a brighter, new beginning, as our administration in Ekiti State is ever poised to deliver on its mandate. I seek the support and cooperation of all Ekiti people for the administration and I pray that those good things that are dead in our lives and the state will come back to life by the power that raised Jesus from the dead.”
In his own message, Governor Ugwuanyi in a statement signed by himself said “As Christendom today celebrates Easter to mark the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ, may I specially greet the good people of our dear state, especially the Christians, on this auspicious occasion when you have successfully come to the end of the forty days of fasting, praying and arms-giving to promote the universal good for humanity.
“During the Lenten season that ushered in today’s celebration, you embarked on spiritual exercises characterised by abstinence and you struggled to imbibe virtues that would promote good human relations among our people.”
Easter: Dogara, Fayose, Ugwuanyi, others felicitate with Christians
