Embrace Easter Spirit for Unity, Sacrifice – Archbishop Urges Nigerians
Ukamaka Okafor
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, South West Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged Nigerians to make more efforts to live in the spirit of brotherly love, unity, and selfless sacrifices that Easter presents.
Archbishop Martins stated this in his 2024 Easter message signed by the Director of Social Communications in the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
“This year’s Easter season offers us all another opportunity to reflect deeply about the love of God for humanity who offered his Only-Begotten Son as a sacrificial lamb to redeem us from the shackles of sin and eternal damnation so as to enter into the joy of eternal.
“It is only by practicing the true virtues of love for one another and empathy at this critical period that Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe and faith, can live in true peace and harmony, not minding the grave economic and security challenges that they are facing.
“At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ which is the core of our faith as Christians. It is a special period when we are expected to unite with Christ by serving him through offering our services to others, especially those who are in great need,” he said.
He explained that Easter is a reminder to proclaim the Christian faith adding that Christ has died, risen, and will come again. According to him, as Christ’s suffering is commemorated and His resurrection is celebrated, it is important to reflect on the spiritual significance of the season.
He emphasised that this period teaches individuals about the value of sacrifice and love for others, which are particularly crucial virtues during times of economic hardship, poverty, and social dysfunction.
Okuama killings
Archbishop Martins strongly denounced the recent killing of 17 Nigerian Army officers at Okuama Community in Delta State and called for swift legal action against all involved.
The Prelate urged the army to remain restrained and let the rule of law prevail. He praised the posthumous national honors given to the fallen heroes and the scholarships awarded to their children, hoping that the process would be smooth for them.
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He equally called for adequate measures to better safeguard the lives and improve the welfare of law enforcement agents who sacrifice so much for the country.
The Archbishop called for tougher action on insecurity and urged the Nigerian government to declare a food sector emergency to address the severe hunger and economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
‘A call to see with the eyes of faith’
Similarly, the Bishop of Jos, in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria l, Bishop Matthew Audu said message of Easter is really a call to see with the eyes of faith.
“The essential in life, the ordinary eyes of our body cannot see that. You know it yourself. The precious things that we call goodness, trust, love, all those things we need so much, we see signs of them only. We cannot touch trust. We cannot hold love in our hands. We can only see signs that a person trusts us, or loves us.
“It means believing even when there are only signs of what we would like to see. This is what the Risen Lord asks from us. To see Him, to recognize Him through the signs He gives us that He is there, He is here with us, each one of us,” he said.
He spoke of experiencing personal signs from a divine source, citing instances such as healing from illness, overcoming fear, unexpected successes in work, and receiving special strength during difficult times. He emphasised the importance of faith in recognizing and acknowledging these blessings.
He explained further that those things are a little like the cloths folded in the tomb – they are signs, signs that the LORD is risen and He is with mankind.
