. Senate President preaches love, hope, tolerance
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday reiterated his position that Nigerians are better and stronger as one nation.
He, therefore, called on citizens not to allow mischief makers divide the country.
Buhari’s position was contained in his Easter message tagged “President Buhari felicitates with Christians at Easter” made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
The statement quoted Buhari as saying that, “We should not allow the antics of a few mischief mongers to fragment the unity and faith that the vast majority of citizens of this country cherish and believe in.
“As I have said before, we are better and stronger as one nation under God.
“I congratulate our brothers and sisters once again on this occasion and wish everyone a Happy Easter celebration.”
The President also gave an assurance the security challenges facing the country would soon become things of the past.
He commended security agents who, he said, continued to confront evil-minded individuals through the darkest of nights to keep others safe.
“I am convinced that the new resolve within the security personnel to make sure that insecurity in the country becomes part of our history will come to pass,” he reportedly said.
Buhari recalled that a year ago, “in most of our major cities, our celebrations were somewhat subdued, as we battled the effect of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.
“The restrictions meant that our brethren could not attend traditional church services as they would have wished. I salute their resilience and understanding.
“Today, we are able to congregate and worship together, cautiously.”
He acknowledged the sacrifices of doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers, “who have made the difference in saving lives and ensuring the reduction of the spread of the virus.
“I thank Nigerians who have religiously adhered to various interventions to curb the spread of COVID-19, including regular hand washing; safe distancing, wearing of face masks, and embrace of vaccination.
“We are united in our belief that if we do the right things, take the right decisions and act responsibly, the pandemic, like others before it, will no longer be a threat.”
As Christians celebrate Easter, the President said it was an opportunity to renew hope and faith, show love and appreciation to one another and not to despair, no matter the challenges of the period.
“As a government, we will continue to ensure that the weak, the poor and the underprivileged in our midst are not abandoned.
“We have reached out with palliative care even in the midst of dwindling resources; we have tried our best to provide support to families and businesses affected at this time.
“That is the spirit of Easter. The spirit of faith. The spirit of belief. The spirit of hope,” he said.
In his Easter message, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has felicitated Nigerians, particularly the Christian faithful, as they joined the rest of the world in celebrating Easter.
Lawan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, in Abuja on Thursday, noted that Easter was one of the most important events in the Christian calendar designed to celebrate the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The senate president urged Nigerians to use the occasion to preach religious tolerance, love for our neighbours and commitment to civic responsibilities.
“Building a great nation requires sacrifice, endurance and hope. This is especially true in our own case where diversity in tongues and faiths make the task complex.
“But with abiding hope in our manifest destiny of greatness, I believe we shall overcome the challenges and build the Nigeria of our dream.
“Let us also continue to support the government in its efforts to provide security and an enabling environment for economic growth and prosperity.
“The National Assembly will continue to work for the Nigerian people in this regard and in their legitimate pursuit of peace, happiness and prosperity in their beloved country.
“The Ninth Assembly has stayed focused on its legislative agenda and has been providing legislative support to government and its policies.
“Our various committees are currently working on the various proposals for amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Reforms Act to mention just a few as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill.
“Finally, I enjoin us to continue observing the COVID-19 safety protocols and to seize the opportunity whenever it arrives to take the vaccine that has been made available against the disease,” he said
