Easter signifies triumph of good over evil, says Buhari

Atiku, Govs Urge Peaceful Co-existence
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, reiterated his administration’s determination to continue with the “fight against terrorism and insurgency; sustain the peace in the Niger Delta through engagements with stakeholders; and restore peace and stability in other parts of the country.”

Buhari, while rejoicing with Christian faithful on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration, said Christ’s resurrection signifies, “the triumph of light over darkness, redemption over condemnation and hope over despair.

According to the President: “It is in our collective interest to live in peace because without peace, no meaningful and sustainable development can take place,” adding that “Lack of peace in one part affects in one way or the other, all parts of the country. Our people must rediscover the values of peaceful co-existence, social justice, religious tolerance, dignity of labour and patriotism.”

Buhari, who congratulated Christians on the celebration, said his administration in the last two years has worked hard to meet the expectations of Nigerians by improving security, especially in the North East, sustaining the campaign against corruption, as well as, taken steps to revitalise the economy.

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, said the celebrations are a worthy finale to the period of fasting, prayers and self-denial, which Christians had gone through in the past 40 days of Lent.

A press statement by his media office, quoted Atiku as urging Christian faithful and Nigerians of other faiths to see the sacrifice and deprivation of the period preceding Easter as similar to the sacrifice and perseverance, which the present economic difficulties has imposed on all Nigerians and which would finally terminate with celebration and merry-making when the difficult period is over.

While Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State in an Easter message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Adejuwon Soyinka, urged all Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, to emulate the life of Jesus Christ in rendering selfless services and love to others, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, his Ekiti State counterpart, Peter Ayodele Fayose, charged Nigerians and her leaders to imbibe the virtue of equity and fairness shown by Jesus Christ.

“A situation where some people or a section of the country are seen as untouchable for political, religious or other consideration is not in our corporate interest. It is not even showing that we have learnt anything from the great event of this period, a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, quoted the governor as saying.