Sam Tyav, Makurdi, Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto, Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan and other reports
More Easter messages flowed in from prominent Nigerians with calls for unity, sacrifice, end to insecurity, love and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Messages rolled in from Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF); Senator Cyril Fasuyi; and others.
In his message, Gov. Alia felicitated with the Christian faithful in the state and across the nation for commemorating another Easter marking the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Tersoo Kula, quoted the Governor as saying Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection demonstrated selflessness, freeing humanity from chaos and condemnation, and nurturing hope and optimism for a life of virtue on earth and eternity.
According to the statement, he Governor regretted that this year’s Easter was being marked at a time the State has come under several attacks but assured that his administration was doing everything within its power, in collaboration with security agencies, to ensure the safety of all Benue people.
Governor Alia, the statement added, has called for collaboration amongst the people of the State in order to be able to defeat the forces of evil bent on causing pain and agony to the innocent people of the State and across the country.
The Governor solicited for prayers, love for one another, forgiveness, sacrifice and reconciliation, which, he stressed, were the dominant virtues that Jesus Christ bequeathed to mankind as a result of his death, burial and resurrection.
He prayed for God’s grace and blessings over the people of the state, during and after the period of the Easter.
Kukah Questions Tinubu, Security Agencies: Are Nigerians Lambs Being Sacrificed To An Unknown god?
Also felicitating Christians, Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, called on President Bola Tinubu to address the country’s suffering, citing widespread insecurity and hunger among Nigerians.
In his Easter message, Bishop Kukah said Nigeria’s situation can be likened to the pains of crucifixion of Jesus Christ, urging the President to bring Nigerians down from the “cross of evil.”
He said Nigeria is plagued by a culture of brutality and savagery that has never before been witnessed in its history, placing the country outside the bounds of human civilization.
“Across the entire country, every day, innocent citizens are kidnapped and held under the most inhuman conditions. A dark pall of death hangs languidly from north to south. It is impossible to find a home, a family, or a community that has not been caught in the cusp of this savagery,” he noted.
Kukah emphasized that while President Tinubu did not create these problems, the burden of leadership requires urgent action.
“Mr. President, we all admit that you neither erected this cross nor effected our collective crucifixion. Notwithstanding, Nigerians have been dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long,” the fiery cleric said.
He lamented a growing culture of cynicism and self-doubt regarding Nigeria’s capacity to achieve peace, adding that many citizens now feel hopeless.
The Bishop, however, called on Christians to renew their faith, citing biblical references that encourage perseverance through suffering and confidence in God’s promises.
Reflecting on the significance of Easter, Kukah noted that for Christians, it marks Christ’s triumph over death—an event that was preceded by the crucifixion of innocence.
“I am therefore using the metaphor of the cross to draw attention to the sufferings and afflictions that have befallen our country in recent years,” Kukah stated.
He questioned the capacity and will of security agencies, suggesting that Nigerians are left to wonder whether their suffering is the result of incompetence or a sinister plot.
He stated: “We are in a dilemma now, and the question is simple: is the persistence of insecurity a statement of the lack of capacity of our men and women in uniform, or is it evidence that those at the top are reaping the fruits of funding their own war machine?
“In other words, are Nigerians lambs being sacrificed to an unknown god? Mr. President, step up, get to the finishing line, and bring us down from this cross of shame.”
Reflecting on the significance of Easter, Kukah noted that for Christians, it marks Christ’s triumph over death—an event that was preceded by the crucifixion of innocence.
“I am therefore using the metaphor of the cross to draw attention to the sufferings and afflictions that have befallen our country in recent years,” the Bishop emphasized.
ACF Decries Insecurity, Economic Hardship, Asks Leaders To Sit Up
On its part, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) extended warm Easter greetings to Christians in and outside Nigeria.
It also raised concerns over the intensifying insecurity, economic hardship, and political challenges besetting the nation.
ACF took the position in a press statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor T. A. Muhammad-Baba.
The North-focused socio-cultural group lauded Christians at Easter, describing it as a period of reflection on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ—a time dedicated to fasting, compassion, and spiritual renewal.
Expressing solidarity with Christian communities, the body acknowledged the symbolic importance of Easter, seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy upon Nigeria.
Nonetheless, it stated that this year’s Easter is being marked amid escalating security crises and worsening living conditions, particularly in the North.
ACF pointed to daily reports of killings, displacement, and destruction in states such as Benue, Plateau, Borno, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger.
Apparently deducing the raison d’etre for this, ACF fingered systemic corruption, leadership failure, nepotism, and insensitivity among public officials.
It stated: “Doubtless, living conditions are dire, particularly in the northern states and in Nigeria in general.
“The needed public policy responses to the problems have been grossly inadequate and far from being effective and satisfactory.”
In spite of these, the body still requested Christians to continue praying for peace, security, and economic recovery, while urging Nigeria’s leaders to recommit themselves to the welfare of citizens and restoration of justice, equity, and good governance.
Praying for divine intervention to re-energize the country’s security agencies and so defeat the forces of terror and criminality plaguing communities, ACF appealed to perpetrators and sponsors of violence to abandon their destructive paths.
The ACF was optimistic that the country—and the North especially—would emerge stronger and more united from the ashes of the prevailing situation.
Police Sues For Unity, Peace In Blood-Soaked Benue
Benue State Commissioner of Police (CP), Steve Yabanet, charged Christians to continue to embrace peace, unity and goodwill in their communities in line with the teaching of their religion as they join other Christians in the world to celebrate Easter.
The CP also urged them to pray for peace and stability of the state as the Police Command would remain committed to the fight against crime even as he ordered adequate security deployment for the Easter celebration.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Police Command, Sewuese Catherine Anene, said the CP ordered all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders to provide adequate security around churches and event centers.
The CP, according to the statement, emphasized the need to intensify patrols and surveillance to prevent breakdown of law and order.
According to the spokesperson, the CP advised members of the public to cooperate with the police and other security agencies as they go about securing their communities.
The Police boss encouraged residents of Benue State to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies around them.
Senator Fasuyi Preaches Love, Kindness, Patriotism
Senator representing Ekiti1 North Senatorial District, Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi, has felicitated Christians at Easter, calling on citizens to imbibe the spirit of love and patriotism.
Senator Fasuyi, who sent the Easter message to the people of Ekiti North, Ekiti State and the entire country, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists at the weekend, said Jesus Christ’s Resurrection symbolised “victory over sin and death; and this offers hope and new life.”
He joined all Christians in the country in celebrating the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters in Ekiti North Senatorial district and Nigeria as a whole on the occasion of the celebration of this year’s Easter.
“Easter is a period that commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Resurrection symbolises victory over sin and death. And this offers hope and new life.
“Easter is a time of reflection reminding Christians of the promise of new life and hope that is offered through Jesus Christ. It is a time to celebrate his victory over death and to look forward to eternal life,” he stated.
The revered lawmaker said Nigerians should key in into the promise of new life and hope that the season holds for the country.
“While acknowledging Easter as a period of renewal and promise of new life and hope, I urge all Nigerians to have confidence in one Nigeria and believe strongly in a better and more prosperous future for our country.
“Let us imbibe the values of humility, patriotism, dedication, sacrifice, perseverance, and discipline, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ during his sojourn here on earth.
“As we celebrate this season, let us do so in unity, love for our fellow man and woman, kindness, forgiveness, repentance, faith and compassion, all of which are teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
“Happy Easter to you all,” he prayed.
