PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Sunday re-stated his optimism that Nigeria would overcome its challenges, especially in the areas of erratic supply of electricity and insecurity caused by terrorism. He declared that outage in the country would be a thing of the past in 2014 because efforts were being made to achieve this target.
The President’s remarks were contained in his speech during the Easter Sunday service at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
His words: “We have challenges as a nation, especially these days of terrorism. We are working very hard to make sure that terrorism does not divide Nigeria.
“We have challenges as a nation but we must go where we want to go. As a president I promise I will do my best. We promise that we will stabilise power in this country. God willing, next year, they will not take light again, “ he said.
Jonathan observed that the effects of terrorist attacks in the country could have been more devastating but for the fervent prayers of Nigerians for the peace and stability. He urged that this zeal should not be compromised.
Jonathan, who also noted that Jesus Christ came to the world at a critical time of human existence, further urged Christians to imbibe the teachings of the Lord centred on love, peace and unity.
Earlier in his sermon, the Vicar, Venerable Igein Isemede, spoke on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, stating that the facts were there for all to see.
Accordingly, he urged Christians to purge their hearts of any wrongdoing as the death and resurrection of their Saviour had atoned for them.
Also, in his Easter message, Jonathan felicitated with Christians. According to him, irrespective of religion or faith, all holidays provide a fresh opportunity to establish stronger bonds with families, friends and all those around for more enduring, harmonious and beneficial relationships.
He said: “As we celebrate this year’s Easter therefore, I urge all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin.
“By now, it ought to be an accepted fact amongst us that our immense potential for greatness in the comity of nations derives in the main from our collective strength as a country of close to 170 million people and the acclaimed richness of our diverse human resources and natural endowments.”
But he said that to successfully achieve the vision of becoming one of the most dominant nations on the global stage in the shortest possible time, Nigerians must stay together as a people and continue to effectively resist by all possible means, the evil machinations of global terrorists and their misguided domestic accomplices who seek to provoke turmoil, hatred and harmful divisions.
Also, Pope Francis prayed for peace in Nigeria, “political solution” for crisis in Syria and “reconciliation” on the Korean peninsula in his first Easter Sunday message in front of a huge crowd in St. Peter’s Square.
Latin America’s first pontiff issued an appeal for hostages held by militants in Nigeria and condemned human trafficking as “the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century.”
Francis also prayed for Nigeria “where great numbers of people, including children, are held hostage by terrorist groups” – an apparent reference to a French family kidnapped in Cameroun and believed held by the Nigerian group, Boko Haram.
The pope delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to Rome and the world from the same balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica where he made his first appearance after his momentous election to the papacy this month.
The Plateau State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday abandoned the Easter Sunday rally scheduled to take place in the capital, Jos over alleged fear of violence.
Journalists gathered that the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN), advised its followers to stay away from the Easter rally billed for the Rwang Pam stadium in the heart of the city.
COCIN, which has its headquarters in the state, was on February 26, last year hit by some group of suicide bombers, which left behind scores of deaths and injuries with property destroyed at the premises of the church.
During his pastoral greetings at the Easter Sunday English service, Rev. Alfred Daspan of the COCIN Nasarawa Gwom announced that members of the congregation had been advised not to attend any rally during the Easter celebration.
House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal called for mutual respect among adherents of various faiths, saying this was the only guarantee for peaceful coexistence among different religions in the country.
In his Easter message issued in Abuja yesterday, he urged all Nigerians to unite in confronting security threats and other development challenges facing the nation.
The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, urged Christians to always exercise patience if they want their prayers to be answered by God.
Speaking at an Easter programme organised by House on the Rock Church in Lagos yesterday, he said the ways of God were different from those of men and this may sometimes hinder response to requests instantly.
But according to him, because God has not answered one’s request does not mean he has abandoned one. Adeboye further said Joseph in the Bible was a man of destiny from his childhood but because of patience he was able to overcome his challenges and emerge victorious.
Governors Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers State), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Theodore Orji (Abia) as well as a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Iyiola Omisore, also prayed for peaceful co-existence, unity and progress of the nation.
Source: OgoniNews
