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Easter: Show Love To All, Jonathan, Wike Urge Nigerians
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and former Senate President, David Mark have urged Christians in Nigeria to show untainted love, spirit of forgiveness and sacrifice, as they celebrate this year’s Easter.
In their separate Easter messages, Jonathan, Wike and Mark also called on Nigerians to use the period to pray for the peace of the country and the stability of her democracy.
Jonathan said: “On this Easter Sunday, I urge all Nigerians to show love and tolerance for each other, especially for those God has seen fit to put in positions of influence.
“Leaders should imbibe the qualities of our Lord and Saviour, whose resurrection we celebrate.
“Even though He was heavily reviled and criticized, He never retaliated and even prayed for those who reviled Him. Nigerians are not animals.
“Together, we are perhaps some of the most decent, Godly and accommodating people on God’s earth.
“We must never forget that. He is risen and Nigeria will also rise. Happy Easter Sunday!”
On his part, Wike felicitated with Christians on the celebration of Easter, urging them to emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that will advance the course of development.
The governor noted that 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 Rivers State to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the state as they reflect on the ideals of the Easter celebration.
Wike assured the good people of Rivers State that he will continue to make sacrifices for the state, defend her interests and ensure that the people always enjoy good governance.
He said, “Easter is a period of fresh beginning, forgiveness, love and friendship,” and urged 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.
Also, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo described Easter as the foundation of Christianity.
The deputy governor stated this in a good will message from the Government House in Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2018 Easter celebration.
According to Banigo, “Man lost his exalted position in the Garden of Eden as a result of sin but the Almighty God gave us another opportunity to reconcile us to Him by allowing His Son to die in order to bring us back to a state of perfection for us to make heaven, if only we can repent and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour”.
She said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was real and not a fable, noting that Easter celebration was a reminder of God’s love for mankind.
In the same vein, the Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah urged Christians to use the Easter celebration to pray for the continued success of the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Obuah, in his special Easter message to Christians, said such prayers would go a long way to engender good governance and uplift the well-being of the people.
He stressed that the price for Christ’s death for humanity was immeasurable as the Christian faith is anchored on His death and resurrection.
“It would have been unimaginable what would have befallen Christians if Jesus had not resurrected after telling the world that he would die and rise on the third day”, Obuah stated.
The PDP chairman stated that the Christian faith is driven by the Holy Spirit, and urged Christians to call on Him for divine power if we must live above the natural.
He charged Christians and people of the state to make sacrifices and complement government’s effort by meeting one another’s needs, adding that this period calls for a renewed spirit to support one another, pray and fast.
Obuah noted that the Nyesom Wike-led government needs their prayers for God’s favour and mercies to meet the socio-economic needs of the people.
“Our governor needs our support and we have to do the needful like carrying out our obligations as good citizens. We should not sabotage his efforts by engaging in acts inimical to his administration,” said the PDP chairman.
Similarly, the immediate past President of the Senate, David Mark has again harped on the need for citizens to live in peace and harmony with each other in order to create an enabling environment for development.
In a goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Easter celebration, signed by the Media Assistant to Senator David Mark, Paul Mumeh, the senator craved for a harmonious relationship between and among adherents of various religions saying, “We have more to gain staying together as a people with a common destiny”.
Mark expressed worries that the unabating upheavals and violent crimes across the country portend a threat to the future of the country.
The senator, in apparent reference to cases of kidnapping, abductions and killings by criminal elements in parts of the country, said the issues raise serious concern to every right-thinking member of the society.
To this end, Mark canvassed that the Federal Government takes a critical look at the clarion calls by Nigerians for the review of security apparatus as well as the restructuring of the polity.
Such a review or restructuring, he submitted, should however be anchored on fairness, equity, justice and in a manner that will give every section of the nation a sense of belonging.
“For me, we can no longer shy away from the agitation by the citizens for restructuring of the nation, if that would give everyone a sense of belonging as equal stakeholders in the Project-Nigeria”, he stressed.
He stated, “It will be catastrophic to allow citizens to lose confidence in a system. That would be a sure way to anarchy. The deteriorating situation could spell doom for the nation. Both the government and the governed must rise up to the challenge and make our country a safe haven”.
Mark specifically urged Christian faithful to use the period of Easter celebration to take the destiny of Nigeria and her people to God in prayer.
The essence of Easter which is prayer, sacrifice, forgiveness and peace, he advised, should not be lost on celebration or merriment.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.