Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has called on Christians and all Nigerians to see the Easter period as an opportunity to increase their efforts at showing love and promotion of peace among mankind.
Mr. Okowa, in his Easter message to Deltans, Nigerians and Christians in particular, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, urged them not to relent in cooperating and supporting governments at all levels in their efforts to put in place programmes and measures that would enhance and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.
The governor charged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to emulate Jesus Christ who, through his love for mankind, decided to sacrifice his life for people to live.
“Easter is a period to share love and promote peace. Jesus Christ lived and died for peace and love to reign and we can all emulate the exemplary life of Christ by becoming promoter of peace and love, adding “Easter is the reason why we are called Christians. But Christianity places a demand on all of us, a responsibility to look out for each other and be our brothers’ keepers,” he said.
The governor while felicitating with the people, particularly Christians, on the occasion of this year’s Easter, a period he said was meant for sacrifice and forgiveness as exemplified by the life and times of Jesus Christ, he also used the opportunity to thank the people of the state for their unflinching support to his administration, noting that the successes he had so far recorded would not have been possible without them.
In the same vein, the immediate past Secretary to Delta State Government, Ovuozourie Macaulay, said the consciousness surrounding Christ’s death marks a new beginning and renewed hope for Nigerians, stressing that the essence of the season is for Christians and Nigerians to reflect soberly on their past failures and challenges to better forge the path for a better nation.
Macaulay, in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Mr. Iteveh Ekpokpobe, stressed the need for general attitudinal change, hinged on the ideals of Christ and Christianity, saying “Christ’s death is the bedrock of faith, peace, love and hope of redemption for mankind.”
The former chairman of Delta State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who noted the necessity for Christians to emblematized the virtues enshrined in Christ and the season’s essence, said “The knowledge that Christ died and resurrected is the beginning of God’s new project for man which is to colonize earth with the life of heaven. Jesus Christ played his role, the new hope and manifestation should be our role.”
Macaulay, however called on Nigerians to promote and embrace peace to better foster national unity for development.
