Easter, time for sacrifice, says Christian pilgrims board

As the Federal Government of Nigeria declares Friday public holiday to enable Christian faithful embark on Easter celebration, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims’ Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara, has enjoined Christians to remember the reason for the season.

In a message to all Nigerians, before embarking on Easter holiday, Okpara said that Christians all over Nigeria, should be able to exhibit this character that Jesus lived and died for.

He said that  humility, sacrifice and living for others climaxed the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross to save humanity.

“His words, we need to show that we are Christ-like. After all, he came to teach selflessness; he thought that kings can sometimes serve the commoners; the leaders, should also show this sense of humility amongst their wards or servants.”

While admonishing the staffers of the Commission on a need to celebrate with the needy in their midst, Okpara said that Christ’s teaching of the possible way of getting rich is to give out to the needy.

His words: “The secret of wealth is to give out to those who are crying. Taste and see that the Lord is good. It is better to give all you have than keeping it which will never attract another income.”

Meanwhile, Okpara said that the first batch of Easter pilgrims have been lifted to Israel, while the second batch, according to him, would soon be on their way.

While announcing a new innovation, which he said the Commission has brought to enable the less-privileged have access to the holy land, he revealed that his leadership, had initiated ‘win a trip’ lottery, in conjunction with the National Lottery Commission, to seek for its successful take off.

According to Mr. Okpara, the launch should hold at various zones across the country according to popular demand; to be handled by three different agencies at each zone. The agencies, according to him, includes Fountain Game Limited, Give and Take Limited and Emi Systems Limited.

Okpara further stated that efforts were being made to ensure that tickets did not go into the hands of hoodlums who could hoodwink the people by cloning them. He revealed that several security apparatus are built in the ticket to avoid the menace. Also he vowed that sales outlets, were carefully selected within the known churches to ensure that real members of the church were selected to represent the Commission.