Easter period is the most important festival in the Christian calendar to mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It starts on Friday which is the day Jesus was crucified on the cross and Christians refer to the day as Good Friday, while Easter Sunday is celebrated as the day Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion.
This great event in Christaindom is usually celebrated annually with fun fare and a lot of spiritual activities. During this period, churches organize a lot of spiritual activities, businesses boom as families shop to ensure they celebrate in grand style. Tourists seize the opportunity to visit choice destinations even as people travel far and wide to meet loved ones and individuals, hold social events, visit cinema houses, eateries and clubs among others.
This year’s Easter celebration was devoid of the usual boisterous celebration which Easter has come to be associated with over the years. The Good Friday procession in most churches that traditionally mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by devout Christians was not observed, even the entertainment enclave was shut down due to the novel coronavirus pandemic which put the entire world on pulse.
The impact of March 29, 2020 nationwide broadcast by President Mohammadu Buhari ordering a lockdown on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States in a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was also adopted by some state governors including the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who in a state wide broadcast on March 23rd ordered the closure of churches, markets, public parks Night clubs, drinking parlours and observance of social distancing among other measures to check the spread of the deadly virus in the state.
The Governor explained that the lockdown and restriction of movement was in good faith to checkmate the spread of the virus in the state. This led to the cancellation of many events and plans scheduled for the Easter. Most of the entertainment joints were shut down, while the churches witnessed a low turnout of worshippers during the Easter Sunday as most of their members observed the Easter service online and Via social media plat forms.
Despite the restrictive measures the spirit of Easter was high among some of the devoted Christians who discovered alternative ways of worshiping God in their various houses, while some of the fun lovers who spoke with The Tide wore long faces as they lamented that the lock down had spoilt their Easter plans.

Jacob Obinna