Easter: Oyebanji celebrates Christians, urges prayers for peaceful election

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has felicitated Christians in the state and across 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 the Easter celebration, remain the greatest sacrifice for the redemption of mankind and should be cherished.

He urged Christians to emulate Christ’s virtues of humility, love, perseverance and compassion.

The governor implored Ekiti residents and Nigerians, especially Christians, to use the Easter celebration to seek the face of God in prayer for continuous peace, progress and prosperity in Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole.

The Governor also solicited prayers from the people of the state and other Nigerians for the peaceful and successful conduct of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti.

He admonished governorship aspirants, party leaders, other politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner before, during and after the election, stressing that “Ekiti interests supersede personal and partisan interests.”

While thanking Christians in the state for their support for the administration, the Governor urged them to continue to live in peace and harmony with adherents of other religions, noting that good neighbourliness, selflessness and patience were among the lessons taught and exemplified by Jesus Christ.

He said, “I wish all the people of Ekiti State and Christians across the country and other parts of the world, Happy Easter as we celebrate God’s greatest sacrifice to mankind.

“Events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were epochal in the annals of Christianity and humanity. They remind us of his virtues of sacrifice, love, harmony and peaceful coexistence among humanity.

“As Christians, this period offers us an opportunity to rethink our relationships as individuals, as communities and as a nation. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ typifies love, affection and tolerance.

“I want to urge Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ by positively impacting the lives of friends, colleagues, associates, neighbours and family members,” the Governor added.