Easter Celebration: President Buhari Enjoins Nigerians To Rekindle Faith In Christ
BY GRACE ANYANWU, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined Christian compatriots to rekindle their faith in Christ who overcame persecution, sufferings and displayed endurance, steadfastness and above all piety.
This even as the President described as “unusual and very unfortunate” what he called, the unprecedented in living memory in which majority of Christians have found themselves marking Easter in a subdued manner, away from the usual congregation in churches.
Buhari said that he has no doubt that if all stakeholders – individuals and groups – play their part to the fullest as advised by scientists and medical experts in confronting Covid-19, the inherent resilience and determination of the people will enable us to pull through.
In a statement he personally issued on Friday, Buhari rejoiced with Christian brothers and sisters as well as all Nigerians on the occasion of the celebration of this year’s Easter.
He said; “This year’s commemoration of Easter comes amid the grip with which Covid-19 has held the entire world.
“Jesus Christ represented man’s ability to withstand temporary pains in the hope of everlasting glory.
“I urge you to imbibe and live the values of humility, discipline, perseverance, sacrifice and obedience which Jesus Christ demonstrated during His stay on earth.
“There is no better opportunity than now for all Christians in particular, and Nigerians in general, to remain faithful and hopeful that with intensified prayers backed by personal and collective responsibility, the nation shall pull through this most difficult trial.”
The President said that as he stated in his national broadcast on Sunday, March 29, 2020, since there is currently no known vaccine against the virus, “the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is through regular hygiene and sanitary practices as well as social distancing.”
He commended the encouraging containment and ameliorating strategies put in place by members of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.
He further said; “I am very much aware of the personal and collective inconveniences suffered by our people due to measures such as restriction of movements and closure of business premises. Being “a matter of life and death,” these sacrifices are in everybody’s interest to save our country from calamity.
“The welfare of our people is paramount. Accordingly, the most economically vulnerable in our communities will continue to be uppermost in our plans, and efforts will be made to supply them with basic means of survival.”
President Buhari said that while we see the Covid-19 pandemic as a global challenge, his administration is not oblivious of the constant threat posed to national security by terrorists and insurgents.
He said that terrorists and insurgents may take this opportunity to perpetrate attacks, adding however that the nation’s armed forces and other security and intelligence services will remain vigilant and continue to contain the threats and consolidate efforts to eradicate them completely.
While wishing Nigerians Happy Easter, Buhari encourages them to make the most of the situation, and to keep safe in whatever circumstances.
