President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to “seize the opportunity of the Easter holiday to reflect deeply on what more we need to do as a people, to ensure that the political process in which we are currently engaged is successfully concluded and that our beloved country, Nigeria continues to move towards a better future for all of its citizens.”
“I greet you all, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, as we celebrate Easter in commemoration of the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ”,Jonathan said in his 2015 Easter Message.
“For Christians all over the world, the major lessons of Easter, which we celebrate this year in the midst of general elections in our nation, are to be found in the Messiah’s Divine love and glorious self-sacrifice for the redemption of mankind.
“This year’s celebration of Easter is taking place at a period of very critical national choices and decisions, during which we must all be prepared and willing to make sacrifices for greater unity, peace, political stability and progress in our beloved country.
“We must therefore seize the opportunity of the Easter holiday to reflect deeply on what more we need to do as a people, to ensure that the political process in which we are currently engaged is successfully concluded and that our beloved country, Nigeria continues to move towards a better future for all of its citizens.
“Happily, we have already successfully scaled the hurdle of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. I am quite hopeful that the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections will also be conducted peacefully.
He said further “To the glory and pride of our fatherland, our collective actions since March 28 have assured the world that the democratic spirit is alive and well in our nation.
“By the grace of God, our beloved nation, Nigeria is moving forward despite all challenges.
“Let us all pray this Easter, that God Almighty who has brought us this far, will continue to bless our nation as we march onward towards the fulfillment of our collective vision of a truly united, strong and prosperous nation.
“I wish you all very happy Easter celebrations.
Mark to Nigerians @ Easter: Put the nation first
President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has urged NIGERIANS to make the interest of the nation a priority in all their endeavors in spite of religious or political inclinations.
“Which ever side of the religion or political divides we may find ourselves, what must be paramount is the interest of our country. What makes for the good of all; welfare and security of our citizens must of a necessity be our vision and purpose”, Senator Mark stated.
In his Easter message to NIGERIANS today , he noted the chequered socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation and opined that ” With collective will and cooperation of all we can surmount our difficulties”.
He called for renewed faith and commitment to the ideals of nationhood saying that Nigerians should continue to demonstrate resilience and perseverance as always in order to reach the promised land.
Specifically, Senator Mark advised citizens to maintain peace and order especially during this period of transition in the over all interest of the nation.
He expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of citizens during the Presidential and National Assembly elections saying ” such conduct which has won us the accolades of the international community must be sustained during the remaining processes”.
Senator Mark praised the Christian community for their prayers and fasting during the Lenten season and urged them to sustain the tempo for the continued peace and unity of the nation.
He reminded Christian faithful of the need to remain steadfast and always promote religious harmony between and among various groups as the needed panacea for peace and unity of the country.
