The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the former minister of defence, General Theophilus Danjuma, among others have felicitated with Christians on Easter while soberly reflecting on the socioeconomic challenges, political tension and insecurity that have bedevilled the country.
The CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in his message, explained that “Easter stands as the cornerstone of our faith, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity.”
He stated that Christ’s resurrection “is a powerful testament to the might of God, offering us hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life,” and urged all Christians to use the Easter season as a time for deep reflection, earnest prayer, and spiritual renewal.
“Let us strengthen our bonds of fellowship, extend compassion to those in need, and strive to build a more just and caring society. This Easter, let us be intentional in acts of kindness and charity, reaching out to the marginalised and the suffering. Let us also promote dialogue and reconciliation, working towards greater unity within our communities and across the nation.
“In the spirit of Easter, may we reach out to neighbours of other faiths, fostering mutual respect and peaceful co-existence. May this season be one of harmony and goodwill for all Nigerians. May it inspire us to live out the values of love, peace, and forgiveness in our everyday lives.”
“As Apostle Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 15:14: ‘And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ This verse encapsulates the essence of Easter and the very foundation of our belief. Let us reflect on this divine mystery and renew our commitment to living in accordance with His teachings.
“In Nigeria, Easter is not only a religious observance but also a vibrant cultural celebration. It is a time when families gather, communities unite, and our rich cultural heritage is showcased through music, dance, and festive gatherings. These celebrations beautifully reflect both our faith and our shared identity.
“We remain mindful of the many challenges faced by our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially in regions where they endure persecution for their beliefs. Yet, even in the face of adversity, the spirit of Easter endures. It reminds us that, just as Christ rose from the dead, we too can rise above trials through faith, resilience, and unity,” Okoh said.
He further said: “The resurrection affirms that light will always triumph over darkness, and love will conquer fear. Let us draw strength from this truth and continue to support one another in faith. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, may our hearts be filled with the message of victory that it brings to strengthen us in the face of adversity.”
Kukah, in his message directed to President Bola Tinubu, said Nigeria was gradually becoming a big mortuary due to incessant killings and widespread violence.
He lamented the scale of human suffering across the nation, describing the current climate as marked by “a culture of brutality and savagery never witnessed in the history of our dear country.”
Kukah used the metaphor of the crucifixion to illustrate the extent of national pain, calling on the president to urgently intervene and rescue citizens from what he termed the “cross of evil.”
“Mr. President, we all admit that you neither erected this cross nor initiated our collective crucifixion. However, Nigerians have been left bleeding and dangling on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for far too long,” he said.
He condemned the increasing incidence of kidnappings, killings, and other forms of violent crimes across the country, stating that no household or community remains untouched by the wave of insecurity.
“A dark pall of death hangs languidly from north to south. Every day, innocent citizens are kidnapped and held under the most inhuman conditions. Nigeria is reaching a breaking point,” Kukah warned.
He further criticised the government’s approach to economic hardship, particularly the reliance on palliative distributions, which he said erodes the dignity of citizens.
“While we agree that removing fuel subsidies was a necessary decision and acknowledge the availability of more domestic resources, the reality is that farming has become one of the most dangerous occupations in Nigeria for over a decade. Mere palliatives are insufficient. What Nigerians need is sustainable access to food and security,” he stated.
Calling for urgent reforms, Kukah urged Tinubu to enshrine food security as a fundamental human right.
“Make food security a constitutional right for all citizens. Mr. President, please bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” he appealed.
He said despite the grim picture, Nigerians should hold on to hope, reminding them of their collective responsibility to drive out the darkness engulfing the nation.
“The structural deformities, iniquities, and corruption of our country must not be an excuse to lose hope. We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill. With the light of Christ, we can build a society that reflects the will of our Creator,” he said.
In its message, the ACF decried senseless killings in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Zamfara, the FCT and other states,
“Adding to the tragedy are monstrous corruption, selfishness of leaders, nepotism, political insensitivity, inequities, impunity, lack of frugality, provocative and ostentatious lifestyles of political and other office holders, etc,”
The ACF, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, prayed for the country’s return to peace, security and economic prosperity.
“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,” the forum said.
The ACF called on the Christian brethren to continue to pray “for peace, security and economic recovery for Nigeria, for God’s intercession so that Nigeria’s leaders are re-endowed with faith, love for ordinary citizens and the wisdom to chart Nigeria to the path to righteousness and glory.
“ACF also prays to Almighty God to further re-energise the National Security agencies so that they crush the reigns of terror, criminality, and insecurity that non-state actors have been subjecting the people to and which seek to destabilise Arewa communities and the Nigeria at large; turn the hearts of the terror merchants and their sponsors away from their senseless and callous criminality.
“ACF also prays for the conditions which allow and embolden the evil terror merchants to be overcome. Believing that a more peaceful, prosperous, and socially harmonious Arewa, and Nigeria, is still possible and plausible, ACF remains hopeful that our communities will emerge more resilient, stronger, hospitable, even more accommodative for all, as opposed to the current culture of pervasive anger, mutual mistrust, intolerance, despair and hopelessness,” the statement added
In his message, Danjuma renewed his call for Nigerians to arm themselves against killers, saying the fight against insecurity in Nigeria cannot be left to the government alone.
Speaking at a get-together organised in honour of his staff at Takum in Taraba State, he told the staff, partners and companies working with him that the citizens should not fold their arms and allow bandits and terrorists overrun their commodities
He said if citizens failed to defend themselves, bandits and terrorists could overrun communities.
He reiterated the importance of preparedness for self-defense as a necessary step in the face of escalating insecurity across the country.
According to him, the recent spate of killings in Benue, Plateau, and other parts of Nigeria had once again validated his concerns.
“The warning I gave some years ago is still as valid today as it was then. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves.
“We cannot continue to sit and watch while bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs massacre our people unchecked.
“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” he said.
In his message, the Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, raised the alarm over the worsening economic conditions while also expressing concern about the spate of violent attacks in the country leading to numerous deaths.
“We are also alarmed by the continual hunger and economic hardship gripping our people. Families struggle daily to put food on the table, and children go to bed hungry in a nation so richly blessed.
“The desperation in the land is palpable, and it calls for immediate action from all levels of government, faith-based institutions, and citizens. As Jesus fed the multitudes with compassion, so must we work together to ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry in the midst of plenty,” he added.
The clergyman called on governments and religious institutions to urgently tackle the crisis with compassion and purpose.
“We mourn the tragic and reckless killing of innocent travellers in Uromi, Edo State. Lives cut short without reason or mercy.
“We grieve the repeated violence and massacres in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State, where entire communities are being decimated.
“These attacks have left families shattered and dreams destroyed, and they underscore the urgent need for a sincere and coordinated response to insecurity across Nigeria,” he added.
Kaigama called on Nigerians to rise above despair and work together to heal a nation battered by insecurity, economic hardship, and political instability.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi in his message urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter to pray for compassionate leaders who will share in their pains and act appropriately.
Obi said compassionate leaders always think of the people in the consequences of their actions and inactions.
“What is apparent in Nigeria today as insecurity and myriads of problems engulf the land is a visible abdication of responsibility by insensitive and indifferent leaders.
“Nigeria deserves better leadership than they are getting to turn the natural and human capital gifts from God to the benefit of the populace,” he said.
