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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said Easter signifies sacrifice and the amazing love of God.
He told State House correspondents after the Easter Sunday Service at the Aso Villa Chapel, Abuja, “My message is contained in the scripture in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
“Message of the amazing love of Jesus Christ; amazing love of God, that he gave up his son so that you and I will not have to pay again for our sin; so, it is an amazing day; a fantastic day,’’ he said.
On his part, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), described Easter as an important season in the life of every Christian.
He said there are two lessons for Nigerians to learn; the lessons of sacrifice and legacy.
“Christ came into the world; gave his life sacrificially for the redemption of mankind; what that teaches us is that we must sacrifice for our communities and for our nation.
“The second lesson is a lesson of legacy; when he was leaving, he gave a great commission.
“He said: go into the world; preach the gospel to everyone; so we have a duty as believers, as Christians to make sure that everyone hears the gospel—the redemption gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“These are two strong messages that I leave with Nigerians today—the need for unity, the need for brotherliness; the need for us to sacrifice for one another. That is the only way we can grow and become a sustainable country,’’ he said
Let’s heal wound of injustice – Ortom
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, urged Nigerian leaders to reflect on the sacrifices and lessons of Easter celebration and use the opportunity to redress inherent injustice in order to bring peace and unity in the land.
He said the challenges of an unfavourable economy, insecurity and growing dissent among the various ethnic nationalities in the country can be reversed if justice, equity and fairness becomes the hallmark of leadership in the country.
The governor said deliberate efforts should be made to give every part of the country a sense of belonging.
He, however, cautioned against resort to violence by some aggrieved persons in a bid to redress perceived injuries or injustices saying, “no matter the anger in a man’s mind, seeking for justice must be done within the ambit of the law.”
Cardinal Okpaleke knocks CBN over naira redesign
Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, carpeted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its naira redesign policy, saying it plunged the country into an economic hardship.
Okpaleke, in his Easter message, said the policy was badly implemented and as a result, worsened the economic hardship Nigerians were passing through.
This is even as the Cardinal told the Christian faithful and, indeed, all Nigerians to be hopeful as things would get better in the country very soon. He reminded all that the country had survived insecurity and would continue to survive it.
“One year has rolled by since Easter 2022 when we re-enacted the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. A lot has happened since then!
“For many in our own locality, the “alleluia” of Easter is first for a happy survival through the power of the risen Lord. As individuals and as Nigerians, we are going through the valley of darkness and are surviving a lot that threaten life – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“So far, we have survived the UGM – the infamous “Unknown Gun Men,” – the herdsmen, and other criminal elements who terrorize our society. We are going through untold hardship on account of many factors – galloping inflation, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, etc,” Cardinal Okpaleke said.
CJN Ariwoola rejoices with Christians, Muslims on Ramadan
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has rejoiced with Christians in Nigeria and in the world over this year’s Easter cerebration.
In addition, Justice Ariwoola equally greeted Muslim faithfuls in the country for witnessing the on- going Ramadan fast.
In a statement from the CJN’S office, Justice Ariwoola counselled both Christians and Muslims to use the two occasions to pray fervently for peace and tranquility to continue to prevail in the country.
Kalu felicitates with Nigerians
Senate chief whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has felicitated with christians on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.
In a message yesterday, the former Abia governor said: “It is yet another opportunity for sober reflection as individuals and as a nation. Nigerians in the spirit of Easter should embrace peace, love, forgiveness and togetherness. Regardless of religious differences, we must tolerate and respect other people’s values and beliefs for the sake of peace and unity.”
Enugu governor-elect, Mbah, reassures on socio-economic transformation.
The governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called on the people of the state to join hands to build the state into a land of collective prosperity, noting that love and unity were critical elements in moving the state forward.
Dr. Mbah, who also reiterated his commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the state, enjoined the people to see themselves as one Waawa people, who must collectively rise to the challenge of building the state into a preferred place for doing business and for tourism and living.
Mbah stated these in his Easter message to the people of Enugu State on Saturday, adding that his election was both a clarion call to service and rendezvous with destiny.
In a statement signed by the Head of the Peter Mbah Media Office, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, Dr Mbah stated: “The occasion of Easter always presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the love and magnanimity of God in redeeming mankind through the death and resurrection of his only begotten Son. Importantly, it is a time to also reflect on the oneness of mind of God the Father and God the Son, for Christ freely offered himself to be sent and be given as that sacrificial lamb at Calvary to fulfill the purpose of the Father.
“On the occasion of this Easter celebration, therefore, I remind Ndi Enugu that as a people intertwined by destiny, we must collectively work together to build this Waawa land, which God has given to us into a land of joy, abundance, and prosperity for ourselves and posterity.
“For me, my election at this point in the history of our state is a gift of trust, a call to service, and a rendezvous with destiny and I am more resolved and committed than ever to the socio-economic transformation of our dear state, to make it a preferred choice for tourism, living, leisure and doing business.”
We must end partisanism – Okotie
Pastor Chris Okotie, Founder, Household of God Church, has said that there is need to end partisanism to sustain the nation’s democracy and to take Nigeria to the next level.
Okotie who spoke during a national television programme said Nigeria needs a man who is away from all of these partisan concepts to move the country forward.
Okotie who spoke on message of hope for Nigeria and Nigerians, said religion polarises Nigerians and it cannot solve the problem of Nigeria, saying Nigeria has undergone maybe a certain processes to a realisation that religion can’t not solve the nation’s problems.
“If we are going to be strong as united nation, we must ensue religion, we must find a way to look at Nigeria as a corporate entity that embraces all the ethnicities and all of the religious facets that make Nigeria what it is.
“Looking at the politics of Nigeria, you know particularly from the primaries that we saw during the recent past, that can never solve the problems of our nation. We need a man who is away from all of these partisan concepts,” he said.
For instance, he argued that the problem really is not just the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the umbrella of PDP has undergone a systematic perforation and decoloration and it has become a sit roll crying under a shadow.
“The APC on the other hand waving the broom that is dramatic of sanitation has swept and swept itself under a conundrum because the broom itself is not a clinical of prophylactic. It doesn’t prevent disease.
No matter how gangantua they are and dominant they are, they cannot produce a seer that is necessary to take Nigeria to to the next level.
“That is why if we must solve Nigeria’s conundrum, we must get away from all of these parapodia and melancholia concepts that brought us to where we are.
“I believe that they are patriots who understand that we have come to a position that the problems that face us can no longer be solved by compartmentalisation of political parties and all the objectives cannot solve these problems.
“That is why we need someone who understands that reality and can take Nigeria to the next level. That why we need Okotie as the Nigeria only hope,” he said.
Lalong congratulates Christians at Easter, canvases forgiveness, reconciliation
From Gyang Bere, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Christians for witnessing the commemoration of another Easter marking the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ which brought salvation to mankind.
Lalong in an Easter message, signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, expressed delight that God has continued to preserve Nigerians and demonstrated his love and compassion for the peace, unity and progress of the nation.
He said through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has demonstrated selflessness and redeemed humanity from condemnation and chaos, giving hope and optimism for a good life on earth and eternity.
Lalong, therefore, asked Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, sacrifice and reconciliation which are the dominant virtues that Jesus Christ bequeathed to mankind as a result of his death, burial and resurrection.
Lalong also reminded Nigerians that this year’s Easter is being marked at a moment when the nation is undergoing a democratic transition which calls for more love and resolve to eschew all forms of bitterness and anger towards building a greater country.
He wishes the Christian faithful a fruitful celebration and prays that the reason for the season will continue to prevail in their lives now and always.
Zulun calls for prayers for leaders
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulun has called for prayers to ensure leaders in the country serve with sincere hearts as Christians mark the Easter celebration.
Zulum in his Easter Message released by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, in Maiduguri on Sunday, asked Christians to pray well for the country’s leaders.
“Above all, I seek prayers that God sustains our human efforts to be good leaders whose hearts and minds will remain overwhelmed by the sincerest desire to serve the good people,” he said.
He also requested for divine intervention to ensure his performance in the second term surpasses his first tenure (29th May, 2019 -29th May 2023).
He felicitated with Christians across the country and urged Nigerians to make sacrifices in reaching out to family members, friends, neighbours and other community members in need of help.
“On behalf of Borno State Government, I heartily felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in Borno and across Nigeria at this Easter season,” he said.
He urge security agencies to sustain efforts to protect life and properties during and after the celebration.
Thousands of Maiduguri, Borno’s capital residents, on Sunday headed for Easter services in their various churches. Presence of policemen were noticed in some areas of the city.
Let’s promote harmony, reject strife – El-rufai
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-rufai has called on the people of the State to promote harmony and reject civil strife in the State, urging the people to practice lessons of sacrifice and humility as exemplified by Jesus Christ in the Christendom.
In a message to mark this year’s Easter celebration, governor El-rufai through his
Special Adviser on Media & Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye said,”Malam Nasir El-Rufai has, on behalf of the Kaduna State Government, sent a message of felicitation to the Christian faithful on the occasion of Easter. The governor congratulated the Christian faithful on the completion of Lent, during which the faithful engaged in acts of fasting.
“Let us uphold each other in our common humanity and pray for peace in our land. Let us do our best to promote harmony in our communities and reject strife in our land. Let hope never depart from our hearts.Let us pray for our country and our dear state as we prepare to usher in elected new leaderships next month. May the good Lord bless our country and all its people with peace and prosperity, and may He guide us on a progressive path.
“Easter commemorates events of monumental significance embodied in the example of sacrifice set by Jesus Christ and its culmination in the triumph of resurrection. Its lessons are profound and deep, demonstrating their timeless power to inspire people over the ages.
“This festival encourages people of faith to continue to practice in our daily lives the lessons of sacrifice, care for the poor, deep spiritual reflection and love for all humankind, irrespective of tribe or religion.As we celebrate Easter, let us reflect on the timeless resonance of the message that hope triumphs over despair”.
God’s power can resurrect anything death in Plateau, Nigeria – Mutfwang
From Gyang Bere, Jos
Plateau State Governor-elect, Caleb Mutfwang has expressed confident that God has the ability to resurrect anything good that has perished in Plateau and Nigeria by the power in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mutfwang disclosed this during Easter Sunday Service, held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church, Bukuru where he prayed fervently for Plateau to witness the glory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He described the Church as an important sanctity which must show forth unity in the body of Christ in championing a united Plateau and Nigeria where peace, tolerance and God’s love will flourish.
“Easter reminds us about the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the reason for why the Church exist. We can draw many lessons from the death of Jesus Christ which teaches us about sacrifice. He died not because He committed any sin but to show the love of God to mankind.
“We should emulate His example of sacrifice by loving our fellow human being and demostrat to them God’s love. Easter Sunday particularly represent the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the lessons we can draw from there is that death situations can be turn around, that is our hope for Plateau and Nigeria.
“Whatever is death in Nigeria can resurrect by the power of God and that is what we are praying for. I urge our people to remain prayerful and hopeful that with God all things are possible. We are trusting God that the coming days would be days of restoration, days of rebuilding so that we can reclaim what God has ordained our state and nation to be.” He stated.
He assured that his administration would not take the mandate given to them for granted, neither as a right but as a privilege and honour to bequeath an enduring legacy of peace, unity and infrastructural development.
Bishop of St. Peter Cathedral Church, Bukuru, Rev. Jwam Zhumbes said the power in the resurrection of Jesus Christ was purely to salvage mankind from the power of sin.
“I want the people of Plateau State to have a reason for living and a purpose for life, not people who are walking in the dark. We must be purposeful in our drives. If we want to have a better Plateau, it can never be other than the purpose of Christ. I want to encourage everyone that God can do new things in our lives individually and collectively.”
He called on Plateau people to join hands together now that the elections are over, and support government in its drive to bequeath good governance for the prosperity of the entire state…
Don’t allow economic, political situation in Nigeria to weigh down your faith in God, Bishop Nwokolo enjoins Nigerians
From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Bishop on the Niger of the Anglican Communion in Anambra State, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, has enjoined Christians and non-Christians alike not to allow the economic and political situation in Nigeria to weigh down their faith in God.
Bishop Nwokolo who described Easter as a time of joy and hope said that because of what Easter represented, Nigerians were free to live unfettered life.
In the message released at Bishop’s Court, Onitsha, the Bishop noted that Nigerians were free by the reason of the power of Jesus’ resurrection to be joyful having seen the defeat of Satan and his agents.
“So, as we live our lives in our society, especially in this our country, Nigeria, Easter assuredly gives us the hope that despite the social, political, economic and security challenges facing us here and there, we are victorious by the power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Easter, therefore, is a time for us to rejoice and to actualise this invaluable grace given to us by our Lord Jesus by which we are empowered to live above the world and above the power over sin.
“ We now have victory over the challenges of unemployment and of youth restiveness as they are among issues already overcome by the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“ Jesus has, therefore, given us this victory so that we can celebrate with hope and live our lives without regrets and without falling back to lives of uncertainty.
“We, therefore, challenge everyone of us; young and adult, men and women, to always hold tight on our Lord Jesus Christ who has given use such hope and victory as well as the ability to stand firm in Him. We are not hopeless. We have hope of better life ahead.
“May our risen Lord Jesus give us, Nigerians, this victory, give us such power and make us to stand above situations and circumstances that will finally enable us to triumph just as Jesus did in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, “ Bishop Nwokolo prayed.
Abia has risen with Christ -Otti
…Vowed to reclaim wasted years
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Governor-elect of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has used the occasion of this year’s Easter to felicitate with the people of Abia State, saying as Jesus Christ conquered death and rose from the dead, so has Abia State defeated her enemies and risen from the stranglehold of underdevelopment.
This is even as Otti has vowed to reclaim the wasted years of poverty and underdevelopment of the state.
In an Easter message he personally signed, Otti said he saw a correlation between the story of Easter and that of Abia State.
He added, “Just like our Lord Jesus Christ conquered death and rose from the dead, Abia State, by the grace of God, has defeated her enemies and has risen from the stranglehold of underdevelopment, deprivation and poverty to prosperity and transformation”.
Describing the story of Easter as the greatest story of love ever told, Otti said it was a thing of joy and gratitude that
God demonstrated His love towards mankind by giving His only Son as a sacrifice so that mankind can be redeemed from eternal death.
“This Easter is particularly special for me because it is the Easter following our victory at the polls where our people spoke eloquently and gallantly with their votes. I thank the Almighty God for the wonderful privilege to share the good news of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead with you.
“Even when the evil forces that had held the state bound in the last 24 years rose once again to steal our victory, God in His infinite mercy said, no, and literally stood against them. We were subsequently declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after four days”.
Meanwhile, the Governor-elect has said Abia has suffered immensely over the years, but vowed the incoming administration was going to reclaim the wasted years.
Otti made the vow through the deputy Governor-elect, Ikechukwu Emetu when Men of Goodwill, a body of traders from the Ngwa Road Market (Ahia Ohuru), Aba paid him solidarity visit at his Ohafia country home.
“The Government we are going to inherit come May 29, is not a government that will leave money in the coffers of the state, no, we are inheriting liabilities. On loan, its over N190b outside salaries, pensions and gratuity. But we will tackle these problems, we will make sure we will reclaim the several wasted years”.
He said the government of Otti was poised to making sure that Aba has 24/7 night life which will translate to money velocity.
“You know what we have in Abia State today is when everybody finishes his business in Aba, they go home and sleep and their money also goes home to sleep. What the in-coming government will do is to introduce that money velocity which Aba has experienced for a very long time now; to bring back that night life, which trickles down to security in Aba and Abia State.
The deputy Governor-elect said it was not in doubt that Aba generates over 62 percent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and as such, the in-coming government would start from there, to fix all the connecting roads in Aba so that government would tap its great revenue potential.
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