BY CHIJIOKE OYE/FAVOUR PERCY-IDUBOR/RAYMOND NWADUBA/AMOS OGORAMAKA/KASE GREATNESS/PAUL EGEDE
Amidst economic hardship, insecurity, divisiveness and growing discontent in many parts of the country, the need to demonstrate love, tolerance, endurance, the spirit of sacrifice, unity, among other Christian virtues, formed concerted calls by clerics and sundry stakeholders to Nigerians, as they joined the rest of Christendom to commemorate Good Friday, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ around AD 30-33 during the Roman occupation of Judea.
The Pointer reports that at St Paul’s Catholic Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku, Delta State, many turned out to celebrate the passion of Jesus Christ in a grand ceremony, but depictive of the sorrowful mood associated with Good Friday. It featured a massive procession to observe the 14 stations of the cross on the streets of Issele-Uku.
Speaking to The Pointer, Rev.Fr. Stanislaus Odiegwu urged the nation’s leaders to utilize the lessons of the passion of Christ in solving the nation’s myriad challenges, adding that there are people in government but in many places, there is no governance.
Odiegwu used the medium to pray for Nigeria, saying that there is need for leaders to stabilize the economy and improve the lives of the people, adding that there is need to overcome the present insecurity in most parts of the country, while praying God to help the leaders in overcoming terror and insurgency currently ravaging the nation.
In Benin-City, the Edo State capital, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, called on all Christians to reflect on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Cavalry, as a guide to demonstrating love for one another, resilience, hope and unity.
Agbebaku stated this in a Good Friday message, where he admonished believers to see the death of Christ as a renewal for all in search of redemption and for all to their brother’s keeper, especially in these times of economic challenges and insecurity.
According to the Speaker, “Good Friday is not just a call to reflect on Christ’s sacrifices, but also on the values of love, resilience and hope which can better unite us.”
“We all must take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of Good Friday, the courage to endure, the strength needed for forgiveness and the power of love to heal and be renewed. May the meaning of Good Friday bring forth peace to our hearts, renewal to our spirits and restoration of hope in our country”, Agbebaku prayed.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, The Pointer reports that the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, the Right Reverend Dr. Ifedola Senasu Gabriel Okupevi, Fused the occasion to remind Nigerians to remain steadfast in faith despite the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.
In his Good Friday message, Okupevi said “Christ’s journey from his triumphant entry to the cries of “Crucify Him” echoes in our contemporary society. We see it in the fickle nature of public opinion, the swift shift from adoration to condemnation. But Jesus, in His selfless love, endured it all.
“It is therefore a time of reflection, repentance and deep appreciation for the limitless love and sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“On this day, we remember His willingness to endure suffering for our sins and the hope that His sacrifices brings to all humanity.” He further pointed out that the symbolic death of Jesus on the cross embodied selfless love and sacrifice, but that his willingness to endure unimaginable suffering for humanity stands in stark contrast to the self-serving actions sometimes seen in leadership today.
He called on Nigerians to examine their hearts and actions, both as leaders and as citizens. Speaking further, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos queried rhetorically, “Do we, like those who celebrated His death, but later cried over it, show such hypocrisy?”
“Do we emulate his selfless nature, his unwavering commitment to truth and justice? Or do we prioritize self-interest above the needs of our nation. Are we actively working towards building a better Nigeria, a nation where justice, equity and compassion will prevail?”
He advised Nigerians to anchor their hope in the Passion of Christ, while also calling on them to use this period to come together as a community of faith, reaching out to those in need, offering support and fostering peace around the nation.
“As followers of Christ, we are called not only to reflect on His sufferings, but also to embody His message of redemption and compassion in our daily lives. I urge you to pray for one another, for our leaders and for all those who are suffering and may we become instruments of hope and renewal in our communities.
“As we await the joy of Easter, may we carry the love of Christ in our hearts and actions, bringing light to the darkness that surrounds us today as a country”, he said.
In a powerful Good Friday sermon at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-nu-odo Archdeaconry, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the Vicar and Archdeacon, Ven. Solumun Eze Nelson, delivered a stirring message, urged Nigerians—to trust in God and prioritize service over self-interest.
His address came amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, where a State of Emergency is in force.
Archdeacon Nelson, reflecting on the significance of Good Friday, drew parallels between the sufferings of Christ and the challenges faced by leaders today. “This is the right season to reflect and trust in God, for there is nothing He cannot do,” he declared.
“Whether politically or spiritually, there will always be opposition. Christ faced opposition even while on earth. If there is no resistance, then it is better to depend on God, who watches over both the opposition and the opposed. He is our anchor.”
Rev. Canon Taivo Abayomi, the Curate of the Anglican Parish, also spoke to The Pointer, urging Christians to embrace Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. “Christ died to reconcile us with God. The Church continues to pray for peace in Rivers State and remains non-partisan.”
Pastor E. O. Adewumi of Christ Apostolic Church, Mercy Zone Superintendent, Asaba reminded all of unconditional love that was shown to the whole world, both sinners and believers on the Cross of Cavalry.
Bishop Dr. Monday Adagbon, General Overseer of God’s Hand of Salvation and Mercy Ministry, located at Iregwa street, Agbor Obi, in Ika South Local Government Area of the state also shared his thoughts on Good Friday with our correspondent.
Bishop Adagbon said that “Good Friday is a day that our Lord Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, the day He sacrificed His own life for the salvation of mankind.”
He advised everyone celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ to know that Christ bought our freedom with his precious blood on the Cross of Calvary.
“Christians should therefore celebrate Easter in accordance with the scriptures and not in a worldly manner”, he said.
