Immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called on Nigerians keep hope alive in Jesus Christ assuring that the Coronavirus pandemic would be over soon.
In his Easter message which he personally signed, the Former President said, “I extend my best wishes to all Christian faithful in Nigeria and around the world as we celebrate this year’s Easter.
“It is a moment of thanksgiving as well as an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“From Holy Scriptures, we understand that the purpose of Christ’s death on the cross was to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin, establish His love on us and grant us access to eternal life.
“At Easter, our common testimonies are tales of the triumph of life over death, songs of victory over the devil and celebrations of love, mercy and grace.
“These are not the best of times for Nigerians and many others around the world because of the global crisis caused by the outbreak of COVID – 19 pandemic, which has disrupted the fate and fortunes of many.
“It has been a season of hardship for some and a moment of fear and despair for others.
In all these, we must remain steadfast in faith, boundless in hope and obstinate in love for God and humanity.
“We must not allow the challenges of this present time to overwhelm the riches of God’s grace and the truth of His love towards us, as nothing can separate us from the love of God.
“Let us continue to live in faith and walk in love so we can conquer all our national challenges; for the troubles of this time will surely redound unto greater honour and glory for us all”, he assured.
In his own message, the National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus urged Nigerians to use the period of Easter to pray fervently for a brand new Nigeria to emerge from the challenges of COVID-19.
Prince Secondus said that by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that the situation in the World today and in particular our beloved country entails that we reinvigorate our supplications to God.
The PDP boss said in a statement signed by his spokesperson Ike Abonyi, that the fact that Christendom is forcefully celebrating Easter in their homes and not in their Churches against their wish and desire challenges all Christians to give new strength and energy to their prayers to God.
“If Jesus Christ’s coming to the Earth and dying for mankind took us from old to New Testament in the scripture, let’s use the challenge of this time to pray for a new World where God will take preeminence.
“Even those who do not believe in God are beginning to have deeper reflections on their position given the global happenings to know that any service to mankind that does not put God first is heading for ruin.
Prince Secondus said that period of Easter provides hope to mankind as Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection opened the way for salvation for us.
“If Christ’s death on Good Friday gave us hope of resurrection on Easter Day, we should see the COVID-19 pandemic as a challenge to take us to a new World order.
“Nigerians should therefore pray for the emergence of a new Nigeria from the scourge of Coronavirus.
Prince Secondus finally warns Nigeria leaders who are trying hard to profit from the challenges of COVID-19 to note its consequences for them and their generations.
“If by providence you are opportune to provide service to the people at this time, do just that and await the blessings that accompany it rather than trying to profiteer on the situation.
Secondus then charged Christians to see the Easter festivity which also marks the end of the 40 days special fasting and prayers as an ample period for positive attitude to one another.
He assured Nigerians that the new PDP that would emerge after reformation is going to take the country out of the wood having been equipped with the requisite experience.
The PDP boss admonished Nigerian leaders to absorb the lessons of Easter and allow it influence their conduct, especially as it concerns the less privileged in our society.
Finally, Prince Secondus wishes all Nigerians a very happy Easter celebration as he urges them to live in peace with one another.
Also, Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar has enjoined Christians and indeed all Nigerians to endeavor to keep love alive and continue to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate despite present difficulties.
In his Easter message, released by his Media Office, the Waziri Adamawa reminded Christians that according to their faith, what is happening today all around the world with the global COVID-19, is reminiscent of the tribulations, trial and suffering of Jesus Christ as he set out to fulfill his mandate of saving mankind.
Atiku said after all that Christ went through, he triumphed the machinations of his enemies, which is the reason for the Easter celebrations.
The former Vice President said that Christians and mankind in general shall overcome the present predicament of lockdown, sit-ins and social distancing to celebrate the end of the pandemic and life would gradually return to normal again.
The former Vice President commended well-meaning Nigerians who have from the abundance of their God-given resources made financial contributions to the Federal Government to enable the latter make reasonable provisions to assist the down- trodden in the society and reduce their level of despondency.
Atiku enjoins the Federal Government to borrow a cue from the contributions of individuals and to put in place as a government, a solid plan of action to provide succour and economic support to majority of Nigerians, many who before the pandemic have actually been languishing in poverty.
Finally, the former Vice President urged Christians to celebrate in moderation and continue to pray for our nation. He said that Christians, and indeed Nigerians in general should remember to always be their brother’s and sister’s keeper in spite of the lockdowns, self-isolation and concern with individual safety and try to lend support to the next-door neighbour who might be in need, the message signed by Paul Ibe, his media Adviser concluded.
In another message, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze reminded Christians of the essence of the season and tasked them to reminiscent on its core values which are hinged on love and sacrifice.
“The essence of the season is love and sacrifice. Christians all over the country must reflect on these values and imbibe by them in their daily living and relationships with others”.
While commending Christians for strictly complying with government directive on social distancing and other measures to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 ravaging the world, Eze appealed to governments at all levels to redouble efforts in their adopted mechanisms to cushion the effect of the lockdown on citizens.
While congratulating Christians, and in the spirit of the season, Eze appealed for prayers for the country, especially, for God’s intervention on the COVID-19 pandemic that is taking a toll on the nation.
“I congratulate Christians and task them to pray for the intervention of the Almighty over the pandemic while wishing them a peaceful Easter Celebration”, Eze said.