By Sam Eyoboka & Olayinka Latona

Christian leaders across the country have, at Easter, called on the Federal Government to tackle unemployment and poverty to improve the lives of the citizens.

Abuja branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) used the occasion to hold special prayers for President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential villa after the clerics had broken their fast with the President.

Rev. Isreal Akanji, chairman, Abuja CAN told State House correspondents that the action of President Jonathan in accepting defeat and congratulating Gen. Buhari made him a hero.

He described Jonathan as a true statesman who succeeded in strengthening the country’s unity, adding; “we came to pray with him and salute his courage as a result on the outcome of the recent elections. What President Jonathan has done is sacrifice for the unity of the nation.”

The CAN chairman urged Nigerians to toe the line of the President and allow peace to reign.

Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche also congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and called on him to put together an all inclusive government which will leave no one behind.

In his Easter message made available by the church’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, the prelate said the emergence of Buhari at a time the world is celebrating Jesus Christ’s exemplary sacrificial leadership is a clear sign that he must be prepared to sacrifice his all for the country’s socio-economic and political freedom and to lead Nigeria on a new path to prosperity and peace.

According to the prelate, “our inability to love our neighbours as ourselves has continued to promote intolerance, hatred and abuse which contradicts the purpose of his death and resurrection. This is the reason why a group of people under the guise of religious fundamentalism and a revolt against Western Education (Boko Haram) would continue to inflict pain and suffering on others through extremist actions such as killings, maiming, wanton destruction of lives and properties amongst other satanic and terrorist acts.

“They do not believe in the need for them to show respect for the rights and freedom of other people neither do they have regards for the sacrosanct nature of life which unfortunately, they cannot create.

“For this same reason, a cabal continues to seat on the commonwealth of our Nation because they do not recognise the import of His sacrifice for us all. Our political leaders especially our newly elected president in-waiting, Gen. Buhari must sacrifice their personal egos and forge a common front to make life better for the common man whom they have been elected to serve.” According to the prelate, our roads, hospitals, are in sorry state while power supply has reached an all-time low despite the laudable Power Sector reforms which if implem-ented effectively would resolve the unemployment challenges confronting our nation today.

“The level of insecurity is alarming which is why it has become imperative for each and everyone of us to be extra-vigilant and security conscious because Government alone cannot be left with that responsibility,” he noted stressing that these are the enormous challenges that must be confronted head long by the incoming administration.

“I use this opportunity to remind us that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ died on account of the sins of humankind, including ours today, and He rose for the redemption of history, including our own.

“So my message is intend-ed for everyone, and, as a prophetic proclamation, it is intended especially for peoples and communities who are undergoing a time of suffering, that the Risen Christ may open up for them the path of freedom, justice and peace.

In his Easter message, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim 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 archbishop said.

Ademowo said government should have statistics of the unemployed youths in the country while politicians should reduce ostentatious lifestyle, which, he maintained, will also reduce the cost of governance considerably.

The cleric emphasised the need to reduce food importation, saying “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 can mop-up a large number of the unemployed,” he said.

The Anglican Bishop 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.

Similarly, the chairman of CAN, Lagos chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, congratulated Nigerians on his Easter message, noting that it is a season of liberation and freedom for mankind.

Apostle Bamgbola also congratulated Gen. 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.”

The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has also called on all Nigerians to embrace peace this Easter and celebrate the nation’s rebirth as they commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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 stren-gthen 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.”