Easter: Pray for Leah Sharibu, Chibok girls safe return ―Ajimobi

GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has urged Christians to use the occasion of this year’s Easter celebrations to pray for the country to overcome its socio-economic challenges.

Ajimobi’s Easter message, issued by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji further asked for prayers for the safe return of the last Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls still under Boko Haram captivity.

Noting the imperativeness of peace and unity for the nation to achieve its much-desired greatness, he especially called on Christians to pray for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in all the trouble spots across the country, particularly in the North-East.

Ajimobi appealed to the masterminds of terrorism, insurgency, militancy, kidnappings and other acts creating unnecessary tension among the citizenry to embrace amnesty and drop their arms.

“Violence and criminality are ill winds that blow no one any good. There is no religion that is in support of taking people’s lives under whatever guise.”

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“Therefore, we must put an immediate stop to all acts of terrorism, insurgency, militancy and kidnappings in all parts of the country. I’m appealing to the perpetrators to take advantage of the amnesty being offered them and drop their arms.

“We should all be promoting activities that will further enhance our peaceful co-existence and unity as a people. It is only under this atmosphere that our dear country can achieve the much-desired greatness,” Ajimobi said.

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While congratulating Christians on the successful completion of the 40-day fasting, Ajimobi enjoined them to use the occasion to reflect on the essence of the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, as well as the opportunity it offered them to be closer to him.

“Easter is not about wining and dining alone. Rather, it is an occasion to realize that we need to love one another as exhibited by God who, out of His love for mankind, offered Jesus Christ to die for our sins and to give life more abundant.

“Let us eschew all divisive tendencies, violence and other things that are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ, which centred on love and compassion for one another.”

He further commended Christians, Muslims and other religious adherents in the state for their peaceful co-existence, urging them to continue in their prayers for his administration in its quest to ensure a better life for all.