Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Engr Seyi Makinde, the governors of Oyo State and Lagos State as well as the Governor-Elect of Oyo State have all tasked Nigerians on the need to be selfless.
They all sent different messages to Nigerians to mark this year’s Easter festivities.
Ajimobi, in his message enjoined Christians to imbibe the spirit of love, sacrifice and selflessness exhibited by Jesus Christ, the symbol of Easter, in their relationship with one another.
In the message by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, on Saturday, the governor also urged Christians to continue to pray for the country to overcome its socio-economic challenges.
He expressed appreciation to the Christian faithful for their fervent prayers for the state throughout his eight-year tenure, which, he said played a key role in the restoration of peace and security, as well as his unprecedented achievements.
Ajimobi urged them not to relent in their prayers for the sustenance of the unity, peace and security of the country and for God to bring lasting peace to the troubled Northeastern region.
He said it was only in an atmosphere of love and togetherness that the country could harness its potential to attain the much-desired greatness and be counted among the comity of successful nations.
Besides, he urged the people to emulate Jesus Christ, who volitionally offered himself as a living sacrifice for the redemption of mankind.
The governor also said that they should use the occasion of Easter celebrations to reflect on the opportunity offered them by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to be closer to their Creator.
Ajimobi said, “Easter is not only about wining and dining. It is an occasion to show love to one another as exhibited by God who, out of his love for mankind, offered Jesus Christ to die for our sins to give us life more abundantly.
“We should, therefore, eschew any divisive tendency, violence and other things that are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Let us sustain our prayers for peace to continue to reign in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to thank Christians and affiliate bodies in the state for their support and prayers for our dear state in the past eight years, without which we would not have been able to achieve anything tangible.”
While also commending Muslims and other religious adherents for their peaceful co-existence, Ajimobi urged them to continue in that spirit in the corporate interest of the state.
In the same vein, Governor Ambode of Lagos State assured residents that his administration would continue to work for the greater good of the state until his exit from office.
Ambode gave the assurance in his Easter message in Lagos on Saturday.
He commended Lagosians for the sustained peaceful co-existence that the state had experienced since the commencement of his administration, despite being home to multi-ethnic, cultural and religious diversities.
The governor said as Christians celebrate Easter, Nigerians in general should to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and sacrifice for one another.
The governor said with the elections over, it was time for every Nigerian to unite and eschew bitterness along ethnic and religious lines for the sake of a more prosperous Nigeria.
According to him, no challenge is insurmountable where unity of purpose thrives.
“The elections have come and gone, we must not allow our political leanings determine our actions.
“The Nigeria we desire will only be a reality if all hands are on deck toward achieving a peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country.
“This is the time for us to avoid all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with one another, as Jesus Christ enjoined us to,” he said.
Ambode urged Christians to use the season as a period to reflect on their individual and collective roles toward promoting and sustaining the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the nation.
“We must therefore see this period as a time that presents us the viable opportunity to think about how we can help to steer our nation back on the road to peace, stability and prosperity by working in the spirit of togetherness, because no nation can make any meaningful progress in an atmosphere riddled with pockets of violence and killings,” he said.
In his own message, Oyo State’s governor-elect, Engr Seyi Makinde urged Nigerians particularly Oyo state residents to keep hope alive for a better state.
He stated this in his Easter message signed by the Director of Communication and Strategy, Prince Dotun Oyelade that the reason for the season stands on a tripod of hope, rebirth and salvation.
Seyi Makimde admonished the people of Oyo state that the rebirth is here already and they only need to keep hope alive and support the incoming administration.
The Governor Elect said that by next Easter, the masses would have begun to feel the impact of the new administration
He again appealed to civil servants not to collude with politicians who are desperate to fleece the state.
He said the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, which the season represents, should be a constant reminder for everyone to extend the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance.
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola and Ojo Peter
