Despite the prevailing currency scarcity and biting economic situation in the country, Christians in Nigeria joined their colleagues around the world to commemorate Easter
By Emma Ogbuehi
Despite the prevailing currency scarcity and biting economic situation in the country, Christians in Nigeria joined their colleagues around the world to commemorate Easter, the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is as the faithful have been enjoined to pursue and pray for unity.
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is one of the important feasts in Christian calendar. The feast marks the conclusion of the ‘Passion of Christ,’ which begins with Lent, a period of 40 days of fasting and abstinence by Christian faithful. Easter is a season of joy, love, sacrifice and selflessness. It is also a season of sober reflection, prayers and penitence.
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The celebrations represent the culmination of the Holy Week which started with the observance of Palm Sunday to mark the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
To signify the importance of the celebration, the Federal Government, declared Friday (Good Friday), April 7 and Monday (Easter Monday), April 10, public holidays.
In the spirit of the occasion, millions of Nigerians thronged the churches today (Easter Sunday), for special services, prayers and thanksgiving.
In felicitation with the faithful, President Muhammadu Buhari, governors and influential Nigerians highlighted the importance of the season in their individual Easter messages, calling for unity and prayers for Nigeria.
At the heart of Easter, the President noted, is the triumph of light over darkness.
Recognising that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, Buhari urged all Nigerians to continue to be confident and believe strongly in the country for better seasons ahead.
The President enjoined Nigerians to celebrate in love, compassion, kindness, resilience and forgiveness.
Same message of solidarity came from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila described the period as very crucial and called for sober reflection among Christian faithful as it marks the resurrection of Christ.
He also called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians “now and always”.
Despite the joy occasioned by the celebration, Nigerians lamented the impacts of the biting economy and currency scarcity as limiting their activities. The noted that despite the directive by the Central Bank of (CBN) to commercial banks to make money available for customers, the currency scarcity which trailed the redesign of the Naira, is yet to abate. This, in addition to the high cost of basic food items, denies them the joy of the celebration.
A cross section of worshippers at the Catholic Church of Nativity, FESTAC Town Lagos, who spoke to our correspondent, said they were thankful to God for making them witness another Easter, adding however that the economic challenges in the country, would force them mark the occasion in low key.