The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has felicitated with Christians on the celebration of Easter, urging them to emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that will advance the cause of development.
In an Easter message, Wike said 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 Good Friday and Easter Celebrations.
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 was a period of fresh beginning, forgiveness, love and friendship.
The governor 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.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has said that the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was the greatest thing that has happened to humanity.
The deputy governor stated this in a goodwill message in Government House, Port Harcourt, to felicitate with the Rivers people on the occasion of the 2019 Easter Celebration.
According to Banigo, Easter Celebration is an opportunity for sober reflection on the sacrifice Our Lord Jesus Christ made on the Cross of Calvary to reconcile man to God after the fall of man at the Garden of Eden.
She urged those who are yet to heed the alter call not to delay any further because the rapture would soon take place, stressing that accepting Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Personal Saviour was the best decision anyone could make.
Banigo wished the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike and the good people of Rivers State a Happy Easter Celebration while assuring them that the governor would continue to touch their lives positively as he gears up for his second tenure.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State chapter,says Easter which is the celebration and commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is a divine promise fulfilled by the Almighty God to the salvation of all mankind irrespective of religious affiliations.
According to the body, it should be a glorious and joyful celebration of victory over sin, death and other kinds of afflictions.
“1st Corinthians 15:55-57 reads: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
“It further said that Easter reminds us (Christians) of the total practical demonstration of commitment to the will of God, forgiveness of sins and love to mankind. This good virtues of Christ while on earth are worthy of emulation by Christians if we truly believe in the annual Easter celebration.”it said, adding that It is important to note that the salvation and redemption of mankind are verified by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, I most humbly appeal to all Christians to examine the mistakes those that killed Jesus Christ made so that we will not make that same mistake of killing him again in our daily lifestyles. Some of these includes all manner of evils such as denial, betrayal, bribery, love for money and selfishness, injustice etc. This has also enthroned wickedness in our society which promotes godlessness, incessant killings of human beings and proliferation of cultism in the State and beyond”.
“Thus, I on behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Rivers State, challenge all Christians to justify the sacrificial death of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary by making ernest commitments through showing love to one another. As It is written in Romans 13:9 that “… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” and in Romans 12:9 “Let love be without dissimulation.. .” As “ Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10).
Finally, I wish all Christians and other residents of the state happy Easter celebration and may the blessings of Easter be upon you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Amen.
Also, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Samson Ayokunle, has charged Christians to emulate Christ by loving one another just as Christ did while on earth.
The statement reads: “On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I congratulate all Christians in Nigeria and beyond on this most auspicious occasion of this year’s Easter, which is a commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour!
“The essence of Easter is unquestionable and indisputable. The arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event in human history. It is this costly work of redemption on the cross – bearing the curse and death of mankind as a result of sin – that brought man the most powerful experience of spiritual rebirth, the uncommon grace to share eternal life of God. Jesus is thus the eternal ransom, an innocent Lamb of God that took the place of man in eternal condemnation. May His name be glorified forever, Amen.
“The celebration of Easter is important to Christians because it reminds us that somebody died or sacrificed Himself so that others might live. It calls our attention to the fact that we can be betrayed, denied or abandoned by those that are close to us. It reminds us that our prayers are answered when God does His will in our lives.
Easter reminds us that the way to elevation is rough and could be fatally painful. Life is all about what we can sacrifice for others’ comfort and not what we can benefit from it. Easter reminds us that death is not the end of all things for Christians. As he rose from death, we shall rise also at the resurrection of the just on the Last Day.
“Standing upon this eternal Truth, I am of the utmost conviction that whatever is dead in our lives as individuals and a nation will experience resurrection power and come back to life in the name of Jesus because our God is alive. As Jesus rose above death, we shall rise above all our challenges in this nation in the name of Jesus.
“Public gatherings like going to meet Jesus at Galilee were common as one of the ways to celebrate Easter many years ago. There was no fear then that some crazy people would come to such gatherings and bomb the place. Easter was celebrated then in the atmosphere of peace, unlike the present fear and tension that hover around our social and national security.
“In this season and beyond, I advise Nigerians to love one another as Christ loved us and gave His life for us! Lack of love today is the breeding ground for religious intolerance, killings and destructions, which in turn lead to insurgency and other forms of violence with their attendant humanitarian crises such as mass human displacements, hunger, outbreak of sicknesses and diseases, etc., in many parts of the country today.
“In the spirit of this season, and as citizens of this country, I urge all Christians, as well as Muslims and non-religious citizens of Nigeria to pursue peace, tolerance and love for one another just as Jesus offered His life to reconcile humankind to God. This is one of the greatest needs today in our dear country and it requires genuine sacrifice to achieve it. This is because it is in the atmosphere of peace that we would have progressed as a nation.
“The Federal Government is further called upon to secure the nation for the purposes of safety of lives, property and free movement of people. Kidnapping, increasing wave of armed robbery and resurgence of insurgency coupled with relentless attacks by ethnic militiamen are a great concern for patriotic Nigerians and an embarrassment to the nation. These issues should be addressed squarely, promptly and fairly,” he said.