Church leaders have, at Easter, called on the Federal Government to tackle unemployment and poverty to improve the lives of the citizenry.
In his Easter message to Nigerians, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Reverend Adebola Ademowo, said it was being projected that Nigeria’s population would rise to 188 million in four years, urging the government to get ready for the increase.
“With unemployment situation, poverty starring us in the face, there is the need for those in government to project, reach and have concrete plans for the populace,” the cleric said.
Rev. Ademowo said government should have statistics of the unemployed youths in the country while politicians should reduce ostentatious lifestyle, which, he added, will also reduce the cost of governance considerably.
The diocesan bishop called for a reduction in food importation.
“It is time to till the ground to produce the items of food we import by ourselves, graduates should be financially empowered to keep them busy and government should directly invest in huge agro-business that ca mop-up a large number of the unemployed,” he said.
The Anglican Bishop while reinforcing the true message of Easter said “the risen Christ has removed the sins of mankind which fills man with terror and robs him of the hope of a blessed eternity”.
He said the message of Easter is not a future tense and totally unrelated to life here and now, but Christ intended that Easter should mean so much.
“He means that we should let this Easter glory get its grip on us and motivate us to some high end, Easter should pull us away from chasing the shadow because Easter is a sure promise of victory from day to day,” he said.
Also, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, congratulated Nigerians on another Easter celebration, noting that it is a season of liberation and freedom for mankind.
Apostle Bamgbola, in his Easter message, congratulated the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, saying it is time for Nigerians to work together for the country’s progress.
He noted that the election of Gen. Buhari and the fact that the incumbent president conceded defeat was a testimony that “God is on the throne of Nigeria.”
But, the President–elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has called on all Nigerians to embrace peace this Easter and celebrate the nation’s rebirth as they commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Also, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, asked the citizens to unite for a new Nigeria as they celebrate Easter.
In a message in Abuja, Buhari urged the citizens to unite and use the season of Easter to celebrate both the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the rebirth of the Nigerian nation.
According to the statement, “having overcome the anxiety and fear that tended to overshadow our efforts and commitments towards free and peaceful presidential and National Assembly elections, let us move forward in the spirit of the resurrection to rebuild our nation with the values of peace and love for one another.
“Our Country depends on you – the Nigerian people to make Nigeria safe for all citizens and foreigners alike. I pledge that our administration shall strengthen all national institutions that promote harmony and national unity.”
In a message by his media office in Abuja, Atiku wished Christians and all other Nigerians peace as they celebrate Easter and prayed that all Nigerians will come together for the rebuilding of the Nigerian nation this Easter and beyond.”
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