Easter: Don’t lose hope for brighter, greater future, Buhari tells Nigerians
…Urges then to love neighbours, help the poor
Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
As Christians all over the country celebrate the feast of Easter, President Muhammadu Buhari has called on all people in Nigeria not to lose hope for a brighter and greater future for the country.
This, President Buhari said, can’t be achieved “when we do the right things in love.”
In his Easter Message personally signed by himself on Thursday, the President enjoined all Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace and security to return to all parts of the country.
He also urged you not to lose hope of a brighter and greater future for the country Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
President Buhari said that he did not take the import of his re-election for granted, “especially the expectations of majority of Nigerians towards providing adequate security, fixing the economy and fighting corruption.”
He said: “The obligation of this administration as we prepare to take governance to the Next Level, is to continue to provide dedicated and honest leadership, where every citizen irrespective of religion or ethnic origin, feels secure to live, invest and prosper; where public office holders are accountable; and law breakers are brought to justice.
“I rejoice with all Nigerians, especially our Christian brethren on the glorious occasion of the celebration of Easter 2019.
“Easter is the most important feast in the Christian calendar and represents God’s redemptive mission over humanity, the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair and good over evil.
“The Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a time to emulate the virtues of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, humility, courage and endurance, which Christ embodied and remarkably demonstrated during His earthly ministry.”
The President called on the Christians and everyone in the country to use this auspicious season to show love to “our neighbours, and cater to the needs of the less-privileged in our midst.”
“Our nation is currently gripped with gloom over unfortunate killings, kidnappings and violence, as seen in the recent tragic incidents in some states of the federation.
“This should not be. We must reinforce the bond of brotherhood and good neighbourliness that citizens of a cohesive country must share. We must not allow the few bad elements in our communities to put asunder our communal tendencies and chords of unity.”
Bubari acknowledged that from his “regular interactions with security chiefs, state governors, victims and members of communities caught up in the unfortunate cycle of violence,” that Nigerians are united against the evil minority.
He assured that his administration would do all it takes to adequately equip and motivate our armed forces and other law enforcement agencies to enable them successfully confront these security challenges.
“We will not allow merchants of evil and death to overwhelm the nation. Under my watch, the nation will triumph over them – terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and the like.
“Once more, I wish all our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and around the world celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a Happy Easter,” the President said.
