By OUR REPORTERS

…Terrorists are brainwashed pawns of international terrorism – President
The need for peace in the country, sacrifice and love by the citizenry dominated the messages of Nigerian leaders to Christians as they celebrate Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus three days after crucifixion about 2000 years ago.

Goodluck Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan called on Nigerians to re dedicate themselves to living together in peace and harmony and resist the antics of international terrorists and the local collaborators who he described as the “brainwashed pawns of international terrorism.”

In  his message to the nation, the president said peace and security are germane to the development of the country, vowing that security agencies would ensure that peace in the country is sustained.

”As we celebrate this year’s Easter therefore, I urge all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all members of their communities no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs or places of origin,” he said.

”On your part, dear countrymen and women, I urge you to continue to exhibit restraint and understanding in the face of seeming provocations. Those who mindlessly and indiscriminately attack churches, schools, health workers, motor-parks, banks and ordinary road users must be seen as they truly are: the brainwashed pawns of international terrorism.

”They do not represent any true religion or section of the country and we must never play into their hands by succumbing to their nefarious ploys to incite religious, ethnic hatred and division among us”.

David Mark
Senate President, David Mark, called on Christians to exemplify Christ’s life by continuing to live in peace and harmony irrespective of faith.

Mark, in his message, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan,  reminded that “Christ died on the cross of Calvary as a sacrificial lamb and for the forgiveness of sins of mankind” and urged Nigerians to use the season of Easter as a period of reconciliation with each other as exhibited by Jesus’ death.

Ike  Ekweremadu
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike  Ekweremadu, in his message, said: “A praying nation is a winning nation, but we must match our prayers with good work, fervent patriotism, and unconditional love for others so as not to squander Christ’s Sacrifice”.

David Mark, President Goodluck Jonathan and Aminu Tambuwal

Babatunde Raji Fashola
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State asked the people to work in the spirit of oneness, tolerance and restraint.

“The season reminds us of the selflessness, love and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn. It was a difficult period but He persevered”, he said in his message. It is a season when we should pause and reflect on our individual and collective roles towards promoting and sustaining that foundation of love, peace and harmony in our society”.

Adams Oshiomhole
In his own message, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said Nigeria will attain her full potentials when her citizens resolve to live a life of sacrifice and righteousness.

In the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said: “As we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who gave his life as a sacrifice for mankind, I enjoin the Christian faithful to toe the footsteps of their progenitor and emulate his spirit of peace, love, sacrifice and righteousness”.

Kayode Fayemi
Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi,  urged Christians to see Easter as an opportunity to offer a better service to God and mankind. In his message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi said Jesus Christ who died for the sins of mankind  paid the supreme price for the salvation of man.

He charged Christians to emulate the sacrificial nature of Jesus Christ by committing themselves to serve their Creator and fellow human beings better by exhibiting piety and love.

Emmanuel Uduaghan
Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, urged Nigerians not to despair in the face of the challenges confronting the country.

In his Easter message, he urged Christians to reflect on the import of the celebrations in their dealings, not only with other Christians, but also with people of other religions. He said Nigerians must eschew bitterness and all forms of violence, stressing that the progress, peace and security of the nation are anchored on good neighborliness and peaceful co-existence

Rotimi Amaechi
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, enjoined Christians to pray fervently for the nation and its leaders and take advantage of the Easter period to show love and forgiveness.

Amaechi, in his message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, said the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was a clear indication of the love of God for mankind and urged Christians to always emulate Jesus Christ and imbibe the virtues of love and forgiveness.

Godswill Akpabio
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State described Easter as the most important event in the Christian calendar, maintaining that that lesson of the celebration should not be lost on all Christians. The governor, in his message, urged Christians to learn a lesson from Christ’s sacrificial death, and be more committed to service to humanity.

Theodore Orji
Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji  asked Christians to use the occasion to pray for peace for the nation. Orji who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, in his Easter message,  explained that “one of the greatest solution to the nation’s security challenges remains  prayers, so that God will touch the hearts of those who are bent on destroying lives and property to have a change of heart”.

Reagan Ufomba
The APGA governorship candidate in the 2011 election  in Abia State, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba ,in his  message, wanted Nigerians to reflect on those virtues for which Jesus Christ came and died on the cross, saying that is the only way to make the Easter celebration meaningful.

Bukola Saraki
Senator representing Kwara central in the National Assembly, Senator Abubaka Bukola Saraki, in his message, urged Nigerians to “emphatically pray for peace in our nation and all those who work for peace and reconciliation in various parts of Nigeria”.

Emeka Ihedioha
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayers for the unity, peace and progress of the country.

The deputy speaker, in his message, also expressed optimism that challenges facing the country will give way to breakthroughs in several facets of national life when Nigerians do not relent in prayers, hard work, diligence and patriotic contributions to nation-building.

Ola Makinde
The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, pleaded with Christians to reflect  true love and genuine concern to the plight of others. In his Easter message, he charged Christians to seize the occasion as a true reflection for sacrifice for a better country.

Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi
The Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt Revd Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, demanded a road map for improved economy, stemming from the sacrifice of the experience during the 40-day fasting. The cleric, in his message, called on the leaders to rule with the fear of God and to genuinely access the masses, who elected them to power.

ACF
Arewa Consultative Forum, in its message, asked Nigerians to use the spirit of the time and resolve to love one another with patriotic courage and in hope that a united Nigeria inhabited by a peaceful society that is socially diverse,economically empowered and politically active is within reach and holds lot of promise for Nigerians.

“All that is required of Nigerians is to pray for God to enable all of us make consciously directed efforts at making what we collectively desire and share possible and then actual.  The socio economic and political challenges Nigeria faces now are temporary because they are not beyond redemption.  With God all good things are possible”, the northern leaders group said in its Easter message to the nation.