AS Christians across the country join their counterparts around the world to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which commemorates Easter, prominent Nigerians have urged them to embrace the core values of love, sacrifice, and forgiveness.
They emphasised that the essence of Easter goes beyond celebration, calling on the faithful to reflect deeply on Christ’s enduring message of hope and redemption.
According to them, this period offers a unique opportunity to renew faith, promote unity, and demonstrate compassion, especially in a nation striving for peace and progress.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio in his Easter message called for an end to political, religious and ethnic biases in the country, urging Nigerians to use the period of Easter to show love and forgiveness.
He said doing so would unite the people “the progress and general well-being of the nation.”
Akpabio, who also reacted to the killings across the country, asked the perpetrators to respect the sacredness of human life by letting peace reign in the country.
In a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said, “While I congratulate the Christian faithful for successfully completing the 40-day Lenten fast and now celebrating another Easter, I wish to appeal that we all show love to one another irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation.
“I also urge our Christian brothers and sisters to emulate Jesus Christ’s spirit of humility, love, and sacrifice. We are all created in the image of God Almighty and nothing should make us discriminate against another human being.
“For those who have taken to killing fellow human beings, maiming others and destroying property, I appeal that they respect the sacredness of human life. Easter is a period of love and I hope the atmosphere that permeates this season would cause them to jettison their evil ways, turn a new leaf and embrace peace.
“I encourage all Nigerians to use the occasion of this celebration of Easter to reach out to those who are in need, especially victims of the senseless Killings across the nation. May we never be tired of sharing and making sacrifices for one another.”
Akpabio also urged Christians not to relent in their prayers after Easter but to continue seeking God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation.
“Continue to offer prayers for leaders at every level in the country and God helping us, our nation will be better off”, he added.
On his part, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, enjoined Nigerians to pray for compassionate leaders who shared in their pains.
“At Easter, what Christians celebrate is the huge sacrifice Jesus Christ made for mankind.
“Therefore, there is no better time to pray for tender-hearted and caring leaders for our country than at Easter when we saw in Jesus a remarkable, compassionate leader”, he stated in a message released by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), on Saturday.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has enjoined Christians to imbibe the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ.
He urged Nigerians to love one another irrespective of tribe, religion, and socioeconomic status.
While congratulating Christians on the successful completion of the Lent season, the Speaker said the Easter celebration should herald a new season of sacrifice, love, and righteousness.
Speaker Abbas, in his congratulatory message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, noted that though the government has the responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens, the people must exemplify Christ and his teachings on obedience to authorities and being one’s brother’s keeper.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has extended felicitations to Christians across the country and the world, urging all Nigerians to imbibe the enduring virtues of love and selfless sacrifice exemplified by Jesus Christ.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, the Waziri Adamawa emphasized that these noble virtues remain indispensable to fostering the unity and cohesion Nigeria so urgently requires —especially in a time when narrow, sectional interests threaten to erode the bonds that hold the nation together.
“This weekend, we join our Christian brothers and sisters in celebrating Easter — a sacred moment that commemorates the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a season that calls for deep introspection, compassion, and reaching out to those in need,” Atiku stated.
He called on Nigerians of all faiths and ethnicities to unite in prayer and purpose for the peace and progress of the nation.
“Let us remain steadfast in the pursuit of unity across every divide. Our strength as a people lies in our togetherness. A nation united shall always endure and flourish,” he affirmed.
Expressing optimism, Atiku declared his belief that Nigeria shall overcome her present trials. “Though evil may momentarily cast a shadow, the collective goodness and resilience of Nigerians will prevail. In unity and shared purpose, our nation shall rise,” he said.
Furthermore, he urged Nigeria’s leaders at every level to use the Easter period as a time of introspection, embracing the spirit of the season to recommit to their sacred duty of service.
“Our leaders must be guided by the principles of sacrifice, love, and charity. It is only through sincere collaboration that we can heal our divisions and renew our national hope. We must resist every attempt to deepen fault lines, for our challenges are not born of ethnicity or religion, but of a failure to build common understanding.”
He called for religious tolerance and harmony among Nigerians, while the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration delivers on its Renewed Hope Agenda.
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has charged the Christians to use the auspicious occasion of Easter celebration which marks the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, to pray for the country and its leaders.
Governor Makinde, who gave this charge on Saturday, equally called on Christian faithful to imbibe the lessons inherent in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and his resurrection.
He said: “I felicitate the Christian faithful across Oyo State and the country on witnessing the Easter festivities.
“In Christ’s death and resurrection, we found amazing lessons of love, sacrifice and hope for humanity. We can also learn the importance of prayers and forgiveness.
“I exhort my Christian brethren to use this occasion to intercede for our country and its leaders across the board.
“I also want to charge them to imbibe and put into practice these amazing lessons learnt from this auspicious occasion.
“May the blessings of God be with us all through this season and always.”
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Saturday called on Nigerians to embody the selfless love and sacrifice exemplified by Jesus Christ as Easter joy resonates across the nation.
In a statement to commemorate the 2025 Easter celebrations, Hon. Kalu emphasized Christ’s teachings of compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, urging citizens to emulate these virtues.
The Deputy Speaker said that Christ showed the ultimate example of selfless love and sacrifice, adding that His resurrection symbolizes hope and redemption.
Honourable Kalu also enjoined the people to pray for Nigeria’s unity, peace, and prosperity, expressing optimism that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration would continue to work tirelessly for the nation’s progress.
He said: “As we celebrate Easter, let us reflect on Christ’s teachings and emulate His love, compassion, and kindness.
“May this festive period bring Nigerians joy, peace, and unity, and may our nation be blessed with prosperity and stability”.
Honourable Kalu wished Nigerians a joyous and blessed Easter which symbolizes hope, redemption, and renewal.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has described Easter as a time for forgiveness, love, and strengthening of the bonds of unity across creeds and tribes.
Mbah stated this in his Easter message to the people of Enugu State and the nation on Saturday.
“As Christians in Nigeria join other Christian faithful across the world in celebrating the feast of Easter, I wish everyone a blissful celebration and pray that they experience the redemptive power of the resurrection.
“Easter is a lesson in the lifelong benefits of sacrifice. It teaches us about the virtues of penitence and moderation.
“Above all, Easter is a lesson in love and selflessness.
“Easter reminds us of our common brotherhood and humanity. And its celebration is a call to forgiveness and peaceful coexistence. “
Delta State Governor, Rt. Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended warm Easter greetings to Christians across the state, Nigeria and the world at large.
Governor Oborevwori in a felicitation message by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, emphasized the importance of Easter as a time for reflection, renewal, and hope, and called on Christ to embrace the virtues of love, sacrifice, and unity exemplified by Jesus Christ.
The Governor urged Christians to use the occasion to pray for the unity, peace, security, and continued progress of Delta State and the nation.
He acknowledged the resilience of Nigerians amidst socio-economic challenges, and expressed the confidence in the strength of the people to overcome adversity through faith and positive collective efforts.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate Christians all over the world as we celebrate 2025 Easter.
“As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, let us renew our commitment to building a more just, united, and prosperous society,” the governor said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering good governance, promoting social welfare, and creating opportunities for all Deltans.
Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated Christians in the state and Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.
The Governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the essence of Easter, is a special gift from God to mankind, which should always be cherished.
Oyebanji congratulated the Christian faithful on the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, urging them to emulate Christ’s virtues of humility, perseverance and compassion.
He implored Ekiti residents and Nigerians in general, especially Christians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to seek the face of God for continuous peace in the the and in the country in general.
The Governor urged the Christian faithful in the state to continue to live in peace and harmony with adherents of other religions, noting that good neighborliness, selflessness, and patience are among the lessons taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Oyebanji used the occasion to appreciate the support of the Christian community in the state for their support for his administration, noting that their prayers and cooperation have gone a long way in making the state record some
A former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, urged Nigerians to use the period of Easter to further dedicate themselves to the peace and unity of the country.
In a statement from his media department on Friday, Olawepo-Hashim also urged Nigerians to remember the sacrifices of men of the nation’s armed forces and security services who constantly put their lives on the line to protect the country.
According to him, “On this day, we choose to remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of the man Jesus Christ; who laid down His life for humanity on the cross of Calvary and changed the course of history.
“He conquered death and rose from the grave. Through His priceless sacrifice and precious blood, we can enjoy eternal freedom.
Dr Olawepo-Hashim added that “the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ presents us with peace, hope, forgiveness and reconciliation. It also presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the priceless sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.
“As we celebrate Easter, I enjoin every Nigerian to emulate Christ by fostering peace and unity in our Nation.”
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