By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — The quartet of President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have congratulated Christians in Nigeria as they join the rest of the world to mark this year’s Easter.
In his congratulatory message, Buhari urged Nigerians to live peacefully with one another.
“I congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters on the celebration of this year’s Easter.
“I rejoice with you on this historic occasion signifying the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, redemption over condemnation, and hope over despair.
“The commemoration of this special season in Christianity, is always preceded by fasting, piety, humility, penance and prayers of intercession in the build up to the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, an event which reunited man with his Creator.
“The message of Easter is filled with themes of love, faith, sacrifice, dedication, commitment, fulfilment of prophecy, hope, expectation and victory, as espoused in the Scriptures and the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.
“As we celebrate yet another Easter, I urge all Nigerians to live peacefully with one another and do their utmost to make Nigeria a beautiful place to reside,” Buhari said.
Buhari enjoined all Nigerians to keep faith with his administration’s determination to change their story for the good.
“In the almost two years of this administration, we have worked hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians by improving security, especially in the North-East, sustaining the campaign against corruption and have taken steps to revitalise the economy.
“We are determined as never before to continue with the fight against terrorism and insurgency; sustain the peace in the Niger Delta through engagements with stakeholders; and restore peace and stability in other parts of the country.
“It is in our collective interest to live in peace because without peace, no meaningful and sustainable development can take place.
“Lack of peace in one part affects in one way or the other, all parts of the country.
“Our people must rediscover the values of peaceful co-existence, social justice, religious tolerance, dignity of labour and patriotism.
“I enjoin all Nigerians to keep faith in the determination and ability of this administration to change the Nigerian story for the good of all.
“I wish all Nigerians happy Easter celebrations,” he said.
In his message, Saraki called for mutual respect among adherents of various faiths in the country.
“This is the only guarantee for peaceful coexistence among different religions in the country,” he said in a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu.
Saraki urged all Nigerians to unite in confronting the development challenges facing the nation.
“I urge Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of God, the nation and humanity.
“I implore Nigerians to use the Easter period to renew their faith in God and strengthen the bond of friendship and brotherhood that has held the country united since the amalgamation in 1914.
“Among the essence of Easter is sacrifice, love for humanity and total submission to the will of God.
“These virtues should not be lost on us as Nigerians.
“Let’s continue to pray for a peaceful Nigeria that will be a pride to us and the future generation,” he urged.
He further reiterated the commitment of the Senate in supporting the efforts of the present administration to build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
“The Senate is committed to the enactment of legislations that will turn around the nation’s economy. Let us all support President Muhammadu Buhari,” he added.
The Deputy Senate President, who called for justice and forgiveness, urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to rededicate themselves to the virtues of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which he said were the essences of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth.
Ekweremadu, in his goodwill message to the Christian faithful at Easter, noted that no nation would make progress, unless the people are willing to forgive the past, reconcile their differences, and enthrone justice for all, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, and political backgrounds.
According to the message signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu stressed that injustice and unforgiveness are utterly slowing down the nation’s progress.
Ekweremadu
“Easter offers an opportunity for sober reflections, to bind up the brokenhearted, announce freedom for those held in the captivity of unforgiveness and vengeance, to let justice reign and make restitutions to the mistreated,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to continue to uphold their faith in the nation’s democracy, while also pray for the nation’s speedy exit from the current economic difficulties.
Ekweremadu, however, asserted that such faith must also be accompanied by the sincerity on the side of the leaders to put the nation on the right track of progress.
“I disagree, once again, with those who hold the view that we do not need to restructure the country to make progress.
“Such mindset is a recipe for more social, political, and economic woes because we cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result.
“Righting the wrongs of the past, therefore, includes restoring for true federalism, the very foundation upon which our fathers covenanted to build the Nigerian nation to enthrone justice, equity, and peace, as well as speedy and lasting development,” he noted.
Ekweremadu wished Nigerians a hitch free and happy Easter celebration.
Dogara, in a message signed by his Special Adviser (Media & Public Affairs), Turaki Adamu Hassan, urged Christians to imbibe lessons of resurrection to rise above challenges.
Noting that the occasion of the Easter signifies the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Dogara, urged Christians and Nigerians in general to imbibe the lessons of the resurrection as living evidence that every challenge, including even death, can be overcome through abiding faith in God and dogged determination.
He pointed out that this should serve as a springboard to rise above the challenges they are currently faced with.
“As we remember the cruxification, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should draw a lesson from his resurrection and rise above the challenges we currently face in this country.
“Even in recession, which the present administration is working hard to exit, there are many business opportunities for providing services and goods that will increase our gross domestic product, improve our economy and empower more of our citizens.
“We must put on our thinking caps, ginger our acclaimed spirit of innovation, rise above our challenges and get our country working.
“On our part, the House of Representatives will continue to collaborate with the executive by providing legislative backing to policies and programmes aimed at improving the living standard of Nigerians,” the Speaker promised.
He wished all Nigerians a peaceful Easter celebration.
