LAGOS – A cross-section of Nigerians on Friday underscored the importance of selflessness and the need for peaceful conduct, as Christians celebrate Good Friday.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this year’s celebration was significant because it was coming at a post-election period.
Evangelist Paul Onoja said that the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ was a message of hope to Christians in particular, and Nigerians in general.
“Nigerians should continue to have and to keep faith with their country. No matter what the situation is at the moment, Nigerians will always triumph at the very end.
“Christ’s death on the cross was meant to liberate us from the shackles of sin and hatred. Let us work together for a better Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Emeka Ogwu, a businessman, said that Nigerians should see the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary as an opportunity to eschew violence and ethnic hatred.
“We as Nigerians must be ready to make sacrifices for the nation to move forward.
“Christ died for all mankind, as such whether we are from the East, West, North or South, we are Nigerians. We should stop hating one another on ethnic lines,” he said.
Mrs Funke Ojo, a civil servant, said that this year’s celebration was symbolic as the nation did not witness any form of post-election violence.
Ojo urged all Nigerians to be peace loving and emulate the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by President Goodluck Jonathan in the aftermath of the Presidential election.
“Nigerian must be ready to make sacrifices for the peace and stability of the country. Our President sacrificed his personal ambition to ensure that Nigeria remained peaceful and stable,” she said.
Chief Michael Okon, an estate agent, called on Nigerians to use the celebration of Good Friday and the Easter to unite for a common goal.
He noted that if Nigerians could humble themselves as Jesus did, the country will progress to an enviable position in the comity of nations.
“We must emulate the humility of Christ so that God Himself will exalt us at the appropriate time, Okon said.
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NAN reports that Good Friday is an annual commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ, over 2000 years ago. (NAN)
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