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Jonathan, Amaechi, Others Sue For Unity
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has enjoined Christians to pray fervently for the nation and its leaders and take advantage of the Easter period to show love and forgiveness.
A release signed by Amaechi’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, says the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was a clear indication of the love of God for mankind, and urged Christians to always emulate Jesus Christ and imbibe the virtues of love and forgiveness.
“Let me call on Christians to always pray for the growth of Nigeria. We should also remember that it was out of love that Christ died and forgave us of our sins, so we should also learn to love and forgive one another. That’s a sure path to building a better nation,” Amaechi said.
In his message, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, urged Nigerians to embrace love and peace, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Jonathan gave the advice in his goodwill message delivered at a service to mark Easter at the Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
“We are here today because Christ was killed, buried and rose from the dead. We have hope that he will come again,” he said.
Jonathan said he decided to celebrate 2013 Easter with Lagosians, and to sincerely thank all Christians for their prayers.
“Through the various intercessory prayers, God has continued to stabilise the country. If not, it would have been worse,’’ Jonathan said.
He said that the country had challenges, “especially in these days of terrorism’’.
The president said the government was working hard to check terrorism, adding that such incidents should make Christians wonder the kind of social environment that existed during Jesus Christ’s time.
He said that as a mortal, he would do his best within the nation’s limited resources, to fix infrastructure such as railways and roads, as well as stabilise the power sector.
Also speaking, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), urged Christians to continue in the faith.
Gowon, who is the leader of ‘The Nigeria Prays’, told the President that, if he continued in the faith, things would be well with him.
“Trust in the Lord. He is all sustaining. He did, when l was ruling the country,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to rise above the challenges facing the country and deliver his electoral promises to Nigerians.
The prelate gave the charge at a media briefing where he condemned the level of insecurity, corruption and unemployment in the country.
Martins urged the president to address the contending issues of good governance and commit all available resources to address them.
“Nigerians are tired of mere promises, they want concrete action.
“They want to see in practical terms that this government is committed to fighting insecurity and restoring the country to its past glory.
“Events of the past few weeks, particularly the spate of insecurity in the land, leave much to be desired.
“A specific reference is the callous bombing of a South-bound luxury bus, in which several people were sent to their early grave. This is clearly inhuman, ungodly and unacceptable.
“I want to join other people of goodwill to condemn this dastardly act and to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased, that they might find lasting peace in the bosom of our Lord,” he said.
Martins commended security operatives for the discovery of lethal bomb-making materials and ammunition in Lagos, and urged Nigerians to be vigilant and to pay attention to events and activities around them.
He also advised landlords to pay attention to those they hired out their properties to.
“I believe this is a way by which we can, as citizens, help to secure ourselves and our environment,” he said.
In the same vein, the Northern States Governors Forum has urged Christians to imbibe the ideals of perseverance, sacrifice and commitment to the will of God which characterised the Lenten season.
The Chairman of the forum and Niger Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, yesterday congratulated Christians and all Nigerians, who are alive to witness this year’s Easter.
“We are alive today only by God’s grace and favour and not that we are in any way special before the Almighty,’’ he said.
In a statement signed by Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, the forum urged Nigerians to continue to render selfless service to humanity.
He said that this underscored the essence of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The forum urged citizens to use the opportunity of the Easter celebrations to pray for the quick resolution of the security challenges confronting the nation.
It urged Nigerians to pray and work for peace, stability and progress of Nigeria, while supporting the actualisation of the nation’s transformation agenda.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis has prayed for peace in the world during his first Easter Sunday message, delivered from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
Addressing an audience of about 250,000 people from around the globe, the pontiff specifically prayed for reconciliation in places of conflict including the Korean peninsula, Mali, the Middle East, and Nigeria, saying that hostage-taking, senseless killings, and bombing by Boko Haram Islamic sect were unnecessary.
“Yes, Christ is our peace and through him we implore peace for the world. Peace for the Middle East, and particularly between Israelis and Palestinians, who struggle to find the road of agreement, that they may willingly and courageously resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted all too long. Peace in Iraq, that every act of violence may end, and above all for dear Syria, for its people torn by conflict and for the many refugees.”
After the Easter Mass, the Pope was driven around the square in an open vehicle. He kissed babies and handicapped children along the way and waved to the cheering crowds.
Christians around the world celebrated Easter yesterday. It is the holiest day of the liturgical year that marks the resurrection of their savior Jesus.
United States President Barack Obama and his family attended an Easter service yesterday morning at an Episcopal church near the White House.
In his weekly address Saturday, he said Easter provides an opportunity “to rededicate ourselves to interests larger than our own.”
Many Christians traveled to the Holy Land to visit places where Jesus preached and was crucified.
In Syria, Christians observed Easter in a somber mood, many of them attending mass in areas devastated by conflict.
Iraqi Christians attended churches amid tight security.
In the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino said that just as Jesus rose from the dead, hope has been resurrected among Filipinos against the forces of graft and corruption.
In Australia, on Melville Island in the Tiwi Islands group, worshippers observed Easter with a unique blend of indigenous culture and Catholic influences.
Not all Easter celebrations are strictly religious. Hundreds of New Yorkers participated in the annual Easter Parade that features the city’s residents clothed in their best finery topped with elaborate hats.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.