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Tag: Easter

  • Easter: Let’s pray for Nigeria, unite for our progress, Gbajabiamila urges

    Easter: Let’s pray for Nigeria, unite for our progress, Gbajabiamila urges

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to use this period of Easter and pray for the country.

    Gbajabiamila said despite the challenges facing the country, there will be light at the end of the tunnel, hence the need for prayers now and always.

    The Speaker called for unity of purpose among Nigerians, saying there is more that unites us as a people than that which divides us.

    He said Nigeria is a great country with good people who have great potential, adding that if well harnessed, the nation and the citizens would be better for it.

    He specifically called on Christians to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ, whom he described as a role model to the world.

    Gbajabiamila said the life and time of Jesus Christ are a perfect example of selflessness, care, affection, compassion and service to humanity, calling on Nigerians to emulate same.

    “At this time of Easter, we have to unite as a people. We have to pray for our country. We should also be our brothers’ keepers as always.

    “I am certain that together as a people, we will achieve more. Our unity is ultimately our strength.

    “I call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and resolute as we match forward as a nation bound by our diversity.

    “Let’s pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for us to overcome our challenges, especially the insecurity in our land. Let’s show love to one another, irrespective of our ethnicity, tribe, religion or creed,” the Speaker said.

  • Easter: Benue Police Commissioner Directs Deployment of Officers to curb criminal activities

    Easter: Benue Police Commissioner Directs Deployment of Officers to curb criminal activities

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Mr Audu Madaki has ordered adequate security during this year’s Easter festive season.

    To this end, the Commissioner has ordered deployment of Officers to places like Churches, event centers to tackle criminals and identify black spots to ensure a hitch free celebration.

    A statement by the Police Public Relation’s Officer, PPRO, DSP Sewuese Anene for the Commissioner pointed out that the Command has dispatched Police teams to major towns in the state for vehicular and foot patrols.

    The Police Spokesperson added that ” commanding and suppervisory officers have been warned to remain in their areas of responsibility” and ensure that their subordinates carry out their duties”.

    The statement reminded the general public that enforcement and restriction on movement of motorcycles continues during the Easter period.

    The Commissioner explained that the enforcement is part of the efforts to fight crime and to ensure that the rule of law is strictly adhered to in the state.

  • BREAKING: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays to Mark Easter

    BREAKING: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays to Mark Easter

    The Federal Government has declared Friday 2nd and Monday 5th April, Public Holidays to mark this year’s Easter Celebration.

    Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration on Tuesday.

    He urged Christians to emulate the attributes of forbearance, forgiveness, kindness, humility, love, peace and patience, which were demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

    He called on them to use the occasion of this year’s Easter Celebration to pray for the Peace, Unity, and Progress of our country.

    Aregbesola in a statement signed by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mohammed Manga, assured that the government would leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with the spate of kidnapping, armed banditry and other crimes and criminality being perpetrated by enemies of Nigeria.

    “Security is everybody’s business, I therefore encourage all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria, to display high level of patriotism at this critical time in the history of our country, to support the efforts of all security agencies in ensuring peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry,” he said.

    While wishing Christians both at home and abroad a happy and peaceful Easter Celebration, Aregbesola called on Nigerians to join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration in its determination to make life more meaningful for all.

  • Easter: NGO urges Nigerians to persevere, keep hope alive despite lockdown

    Easter: NGO urges Nigerians to persevere, keep hope alive despite lockdown

    Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Centre for Change, an NGO, has urged the Christian faithful and Nigerians to persevere and keep hope alive in spite of the Coronavirus lockdown.

    Okei-Odumakin in an Easter message on Sunday urged Nigerians not to live in fear and despair, saying that the Coronavirus lockdown was not going to last forever.

    “It has been a long season of anxiety and sacrifices. We have changed the way we live our lives. We have lived in fear and despair in the last few months.

    “But the good news is that it is not going to last forever,’’ she said.

    Okei-Odumakin advised all to adhere to stay-at-home order so as to contain the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring that all laid down precautionary measures were followed to the letter.

    She noted that COVID-19, like every other pandemic that had ravaged the world in the past, would come and go.

    “As we celebrate Easter, let us trudge on observing the rules. In the end, victory is ours and we shall have the last laugh.

    “This too shall become history and we shall hug again and be close to ourselves in our usual gatherings, social distancing is for a while.

    “Christ was buried on Friday and rose on Sunday. We shall rise to our normal lives again as a people,” added.

    The NGO’s president appealed to the government to try harder in the area of palliatives.

    “Government should ensure it reaches the people directly so they are not killed by hunger under lockdown.”

  • Easter: NSCDC C-G appeals for peaceful celebration

    Easter: NSCDC C-G appeals for peaceful celebration

    Abdullahi Gana, The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has called on Christians to pray for the peace in the nation during the Easter and appealed for a peaceful celebration.

    Gana, who made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja, also tasked Christians to ask for God’s divine intervention on the COVID-19, ravaging the world.

    The commandant-general felicitated with them on the occasion, adding that they should live the exemplary life as preached by Christ, who sacrificed himself for the sins and redemption of mankind.

    He noted that Easter comes with fasting, praying and admonishing for the atonement of sin, reconciliation, tolerance and making peace with one another.

    “Therefore, Easter festivity should not be seen as a time of merriment and funfare alone but should be seen as a time of tolerating one another irrespective of religious differences,’’ he said in a statement by the Corps spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh.

    Gana urged Christian leaders to use the occasion to enlighten their followers on the reality of COVID-19 and the benefit that would be derived from the “stay-at-home’’ directive by the government.

    Gana directed all state commands to carry out massive deployment of personnel to beef up security across the nation during the period.

    He said they should complement the deployment with sniffer dogs, specialised units such as Special Force, Counter Terrorism, Ambulances and Surveillance team in strategic areas.

    Gana also directed the commands to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure within their localities.

    He charged the personnel to work in synergy with sister agencies, saying that the corps would not tolerate any form of sabotage and crisis between them and the other agencies over issues that could be avoided.

    He vowed that there would be no hiding place for vandals, illegal oil bunkerers, oil thieves and operatives of illegal private guard companies.

  • Easter: Rivers re-opens markets for 2 days

    Some designated markets in Rivers State on Tuesday morning recorded high patronage as residents of the state thronged the markets for Easter shopping.

    our correspondent reports that the state government had earlier ordered the closure of markets across the state as part of  measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic.

    Gov. Nyesom Wike, however, last week directed that some markets be reopened for business on Tuesday and Wednesday between the hours of 7a.m to Noon to enable households shop ahead of the Easter celebration.

    The governor’s directive did not however, include the reopening of some major boarder markets like the Oil-Mill and Slaughter/Trans-Amadi markets in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) and Mbiama market in Ahoada West LGA.

    Some of the residents, who patronised the markets, expressed satisfaction over the government’s sit-at-home directive, while others lamented its hardship on small businesses and price increases on consumables.

    Mrs Ngozi Ume, a teacher on her part applauded the governor’s decision to reopen some markets for two days, adding that the measure would assist households to prepare for Easter.

    “The price increases I noticed on goods today aren’t a surprise, nation-wide celebrations like the Easter usually attracts little or moderate increase in prices of food items, clothing and other consumables.

    “For me, the sit-at-home order is rather a blessing in disguise, I don’t have to buy new cloths for my children and I’m not also expecting much guests this Easter.

    “So, in order to cope with high costs on commodities, I have channelled all resources to food and other daily family needs,” she said.

    Mr Effet Igo, a poultry products retail trader said that business was good as he welcomed the early morning rush by buyers.

    He, however, said that the operational noon limit by government was rather too short for buyer and sellers alike to conclude on their business activities for the day.

  • Easter: FRSC advises Nigerians to maintain social distance

    Easter: FRSC advises Nigerians to maintain social distance

    The Sagamu Unit Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised Nigerians to continue maintaining social distance even during the Easter period to avoid further spread of COVID-19.

    The Unit Commander, Mr Taofiq Iyanda, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, Ogun, on Tuesday.

    Our correspondent reports that Christian faithful will mark Good Friday on April 10; Easter Sunday on April 12; and Easter Monday on April 13..

    “It is important for all Nigerians to continue to maintain social distance.

    “ FRSC’s advice to motorists is to maintain social distance by carrying one passenger in front and two at the back for saloon cars and two passengers on each seat for any other vehicle,’’ he said.

    Iyanda implored those on special duties to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition because if any vehicle breaks down on the highway, getting assistance would be difficult.

    The unit commander cautioned against flouting traffic rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary loss of life during the Easter celebration.