By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has called on Christians to use the period of Easter to pray for the State and the country at large as insecurity and other socio-political inadequacies threaten the nation’s stability.
The Governor made the call on Saturday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika.
While noting that Easter is a time for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and again, reawakened by its essence, Governor Okowa remarked that “the power of the resurrection of Christ as made manifest in Easter 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”.
To this end, he 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.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the attainment of Stronger Delta through ongoing infrastructure development across the state and wealth-creation for citizens.
He said that 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.
Okowa stated further, “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”.
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.