As Christians across the country mark Easter celebrations today with observance of Good Friday, President Buhari, in his Easter message, yesterday, declared that the current spate of uncertainty and insecurity bedeviling the country will soon give way to a season of triumph of good over evil.
He urged citizens to increase their love for one another rather than exhibit hate, and show more patriotism, as Nigeria remained the only country they have.
President Buhari said: “This year’s celebration is very unique for adherents of the two great faiths in Nigeria. It culminates the 40-day season of Lent for Christians, where the faithful are expected to fast, pray, assist the poor, abhor injustice and strife, give alms, penitently engage in self-examination and repentance of sins.
“Similar values apply to the Muslim faithful, currently about halfway into the holy month of Ramadan.”
“Easter evokes in us the resilience of the human spirit not to give up in the face of seemingly daunting challenges of life.
“This period emboldens us to believe that the current spate of uncertainty and insecurity will soon unfold a season of triumph of good over evil; hope over despair, and light over darkness. I urge us to increase our love for one another rather than hate and show more patriotism, as this is the only country we have.
“I enjoin us therefore, to live out the eternal words of Jesus Christ on the cross: ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.’
“As we approach another season of electioneering, let the security and unity of the nation guide our actions and utterances.”
Joining Christians to celebrate Easter, which is the most significant event/festival in the Christian calendar, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, urged Christian faithfuls to keep in mind the significance of the season, which is the perfect demonstration of sacrificial love to others as they celebrate Easter.
In a statement he personally signed, Lawan said as the journey to Golgotha ended in triumph, the season should also rekindle hope of victory over personal and communal challenges.
“Easter marks the trial, sacrifice, victory and completion of the divine mandate of the author of the Christian faith. The triumph of Christ should encourage all people of faith to be hopeful of victory against trials and challenges, whether as individuals or as a nation.
“The National Assembly will also continue to provide the necessary legislative interventions to support every effort made to take Nigeria out of the current insecurity and economic challenges,” he wrote.
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, in his Easter message called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice, which characterised the life of Jesus Christ.
In a message released by his media office in Abuja to mark Easter, the Waziri Adamawa stressed that the two qualities of love and sacrifice are essential to the unity that Nigeria so desperately needs at this time when vested and provincial interests threaten to tear the nation apart.
His message read partly, “This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the world to celebrate the Easter festivities. This commemoration is a time for deep reflection as it marks the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his victory over death. It is a time to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need.
“It is also a time for all of us — regardless of faith, or ethnicity — to come together to pray for the peace of our nation. We must all remain constant in our efforts to promote unity — across all lines — because united, our nation remains stronger and we thrive as a people.”
Atiku also encouraged leaders to use the opportunity of the celebration of Easter to reflect on their stewardship to their people and to the nation.
All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in a Good Friday message, urged Nigerians to remember that we are one family in spite of our religious differences.
The Tinubus urged Nigerians to apply godly principles in their daily conduct, and advised Christians across Nigeria and the world to imbibe Christ’s life of service as they mark Good Friday ahead of Easter celebrations.
Their goodwill message read, “On this Good Friday, Remi and I extend our best wishes to Christians across Nigeria and around the world. Good Friday is a precious opportunity to be thankful to God for His mercy and to focus on Christ’s life of service, sacrifice and compassion toward all. It is a time to reflect on our belief in the divine and what that means as we go about the conduct of our daily lives.
“This year has brought together the sacred days of two of the great Abrahamic religions. As Christians commemorate the sacrificial death of Christ, Muslims observe the Holy Month of Ramadan. In this, we are reminded that we Nigerians may be of different religions, yet we are of one family. We serve but one God.
“Given that each of these great faiths hold compassion, devotion, humility and peace among their pillars, there is no room amongst us for those who might use religion to divide and sow discord among brothers and neighbours.
“We must stand against those who seek to do injustice to another because of their religious creed, ethnicity, or place of origin. God made all humankind for his purpose and that purpose no man has the right to disrupt or question.
“Thus, we mark our common humanity and dedication to peace for all. As we celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice this day, let us remember the millions of people who have been displaced by violent conflict and attack in our own nation.
“On this Good Friday, let us remember our sacred duty to uphold the dignity of every human being. Let all who suffer be close to our hearts and become our brothers and sisters. May we labor to give them relief and to end the cause of their oppression. Let us truly do good to one another this Friday.”
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