Archbishop of Abuja Catholic archdiocese, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama has praised Nigerians for their resilience and determination.
He stated this in his 2023 Easter message in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Reverend Kaigama also expressed optimism that citizens will overcome all the things that weigh them down and reach for the heights.
In his words “I am happy that I am a Nigerian and we are having one great characteristic of resilience. We never allow any situation to weigh us down. You find Nigerians in the biggest of all problems but within days or so, they are out of it. They are such people of faith, determination and resilience. So, God has given us that gift. We may not have all other gifts but we are indeed a determined people.
I call on our countrymen and women not to give up easily, there is still another time and we look into the future with great optimism that things will turn out better someday. To eat an omelette, you need to break the egg. So the egg is being broken now, the omelette we prepare from this will be a wonderful omelette. So let us not give, let’s hold on to one another, give each other the right hand of fellowship and move together whether as Christians, Muslims, North or South, let there be no discrimination and we shall see that Nigeria shall be great and great all the time,“ he noted.
Archbishop Kaigama while urging every citizen to reflect on the significance of Easter and what it implies to our individual and collective lives further called on all to shun discrimination, give each other the right hand of fellowship and move together whether as Christians, Muslims, North or South, to build a greater Nigeria.
“In all things, we must emphasize unity; working together to build a Nigeria that is fair, just, and prosperous for all its citizens. As we celebrate Easter 2023, let us remember the message of hope and renewal that it brings. Let us hold onto that hope as we face the challenges that lie ahead. Let us stand together as a nation; both those who won elections and those who lost. Those who are aggrieved with the outcome of the elections should seek justice in the courts, and it is our prayer that they will find true justice. All that matters now and always is that we must work together towards a brighter future for Nigeria and for all Nigerians,“ his words.
Also Speaking, the Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan stated that the annual festival of Easter has the same message every year. It has the message of the victory of life over death, of goodness over evil, and of justice over injustice.
According to him, the “Resurrection message invites whoever is feeling unhappy, deprived or perplexed in Nigeria to rise because God is going to grant victory. According to Cardinal Onaiyekan, Resurrection means victory and Christians know that this victory is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who himself suffered oppression and execution unjustly but rose again from the dead on the third day,“ he remarked.
He further said that for Christians, this is not just an act of faith that they recite, but it is a thing that they are confirmed and convinced about knowing God is always acting in their lives and those who are close to God can trust him no matter Nigeria’s political situation.
He advised every Nigerian to refuse to be dejected or despair but remain hopeful that Nigeria will get out of its present situations
Above all, the resurrection of Christ has made us conquerors and people must live in it with a life full of holiness and devoid of fear.
