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.