The All Progressives Congress (APC) has felicitated with Christians on the occasion of Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-onilu, urged citizens to imbibe the selfless attributes displayed by Jesus Christ.
“As we merry with friends, family and other loved ones for the festivities, we are implored to also remember the essence of Easter which is recognition of the love, sacrifice and suffering Jesus Christ bore for humanity,” the party said.
The party also preached that love and tolerance should live above violence, killings, agitations, and other divisive tendencies.
“In our collective efforts to progress as a nation, we must all rise above our perceived differences which pit brothers and sisters against themselves. Love and tolerance will take us.”
The party tasked Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter to pray for the safety and wellbeing of the Armed Forces and other security personnel ensuring the safety of citizens.
It also used the opportunity to seek the continuous prayers and support of Nigerians for Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration.
Also, the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, called on Nigerians to imbibe the value of sacrificing in the interest of the country as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.
Saraki, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, congratulated Christians in Nigeria and across the world as they celebrate Easter.
He expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their steadfastness and prayers which have had immense impact on the peace, unity and continued survival of the nation.
He noted that the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections was a direct testament to the sincere efforts and prayers.
He said the Easter period is a reminder to imbibe the spirit of making sacrifices in the interest of Nigerians, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“I believe that our country will become better if we all commit ourselves to selfless service and making sacrifices, both at the individual and collective level.
“The prayers and fasting of Nigerians have been the bulwark against all the centrifugal and centripetal forces threatening to pull our nation down.
“We must not relent but only need to add discipline, obedience to law and more intense patriotism to our attitude.”
Noting that the country is still confronted by developmental, economic and social challenges, he insisted that all the obstacles are surmountable if all play their roles.
The deputy president of the senate, Ike Ekweremadu, similarly urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to pray for the security of the nation and return to the path of reconciliation, peace, and justice.
In a statement by his special adviser, Uche Anichukwu, he wished Nigerians a happy Easter.
Ekweremadu said prayers should come with the necessary steps to rethink the nation’s security architecture, especially the policing arrangement.
In his Easter goodwill message to the Christian faithful, he said: “I call on the Christian faithful and indeed, every Nigerian, to pray for divine intervention in the affairs of the nation, particular the frightening insecurity challenges facing various parts of our country”.
Similarly, in his message, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed called on all Nigerians to use this period of Easter celebration to reflect on lessons and teachings of the celebration and its significance to build a virile nation.
The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, advised Nigerians to imbibe and uphold the spirit of love, tolerance and peaceful co-existence which Jesus promoted.
The Governor also urged Nigerians to shun hatred and bigotry, which Christ preached against before paying the ultimate price on the cross.
The Governor particularly advised Christian adherents to use the period to reflect on their individual and collective roles towards promoting and sustaining the teaching of love, peace and harmonious co-existence in the nation.
According to the statement, “The period of celebration of the resurrection of Christ should be a period of reflection on the teachings and lessons of the celebration by promoting the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance.
“We must therefore see this period as a time that avails us the opportunity to reflect on how to contribute our quotas towards steering our nation to prosperity, stability and growth “.
…Kwara traders lament low patronage
By Matthew Denis
As Christians celebrate Easter world over, traders across various markets in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital have complained over low patronage.
When our reporter visited Oja Tuntun, Mandate Ultramodern market, Ipata and Obbo road market, it was observed that there was lull in activities at the markets.
Some of the traders who spoke to this medium said they are disappointed with the situation.
A meat seller at Ipata market, Mallam Galadima Lanre confirmed that sales were low compared to last year’s Easter celebration.
“The patronage this year is very low. We expected that people will buy food items and meat for the celebration but that expectation has been dashed,” he lamented.
A fish seller, Mr Hassan Inuwa, popularly known as ‘point and kill’ along Unity road said the patronage was not encouraging.
“Traders look forward to festive periods to make huge sales but this year’s celebration is an exception,” he said.
Similarly, a tomato and pepper seller at Mandate market, who simply identified himself as Ismail said though there was no hike in price of commodities, there was however low patronage.
A poultry seller, Joseph Aremu said he had to bring down prices of chicken to encourage patronage.
“Sales have been poor. I had to sell my chicken for N2,500 instead of N3,000 to encourage patronage.
A rice seller, Mrs. Hannah Oguwande, attributed poor sales during the festive period to the current economic situation in the country coupled with the high cost of items.
However, a boutique owner, Mrs. Tabitha Bamidele said she recorded appreciable sales as people prepared for the celebration.
