From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on Christians to use the period of Easter to pray for the state and country as insecurity and other socio-political inadequacies threatened the nation’s stability.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor said that Easter was a time for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and again, reawakened by its essence.
According to him, the power of the resurrection of Christ was made manifest in Easter it is an opportunity for Christians to seek God’s face in prayers to settle the myriad of security issues and widening division of Nigerians along religious and tribal lines.
The governor urged Christians to show love to one another, especially to the downtrodden in the society just as Christ sacrificed Himself to save mankind from destruction.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the attainment of Stronger Delta through ongoing infrastructure development across the state and wealth-creation for citizens.
Okowa said the government had taken measures through the establishment of Operation Delta Hawk to complement the operations of the Police in ensuring safety of lives and property in the state.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Christians all over the world as they celebrate 2021 Easter.
“I call on Christian faithful to seek God’s face in prayer to settle the insecurity challenges bedeviling our nation in all fronts.
“As Christians, let our lives be a mirror to depict the importance of Easter in our human relations, not only with other Christians, but with people of other religious proclivity.
“I urge all Nigerians, especially Christians, to extend the spiritual benefits of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which include love, peace, justice, sacrifice and kindness, to one another, particularly in these trying times.
“It is incumbent on us to uphold the principles of our faith as they relate to honesty, justice, integrity, accountability, compassion, selflessness and the pursuit of the common good for our nation,” he said.
The governor recalled that during Easter in 2020, Nigeria and the rest of the world was battling the COVID-19 pandemic, but thanked God for answering the prayers of the faithful by bringing a reprieve in the form of vaccines.
He urged Nigerians to continue to maintain good personal hygiene while also obeying the necessary COVID-19 protocols, adding that God would heal the world of the dreaded virus.
“I also urge that as we celebrate this year’s Easter, let us thank God profusely for protecting our people and commit the nation into God’s mighty hands.
“May the lessons and blessings of Easter help us to overcome the challenges of insecurity that is shaking the fabrics of our nation,” he added.