…Imbibe Spirit of Sacrifice – CAN

… Anglican Church Opens Doors for Unwedded Couples

By Martin Paul, Orkula Shaagee, Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) yesterday encouraged Nigerians to “have great hope that things are going to get better for the country”.

 The statement titled: ‘Osinbajo’s Easter Message to Nigerians: All Will Be Well with Our Country” read thus: “I just want to thank God for our nation, and pray that our nation will experience the grace and mercy of God in so many different ways that we are expecting His grace and mercy.

 “God’s plan for humanity was that Christ will die and will resurrect. The resurrection is evidence of the fact that those who believe would be saved eternally and would live eternal joy and peace with the Almighty. And that promise is open to every single person. “Whoever you are, that promise is open to you”, Osinbajo said,  

Jonathan Preaches Love, Atiku Talks Forgiving Spirit

Former president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated with Nigerian Christians as they celebrate Easter.

In statement posted on his verified Twitter handle, Jonathan said the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is fundamental to all Christians.

He, thereafter, called on Christians and all Nigerians to prioritise love, peace and unity as a means of tackling the current security and economic challenges bedeviling the country.

Similarly, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

Atiku said Nigeria would overcome its challenges when citizens emulate Jesus Christ by having a heart of forgiveness.

The former Vice President made the remark in his Easter message to Nigerians.

Atiku urged Nigerians to unite against the country’s challenges like most advanced countries did against COVID-19.

He pointed out that without sacrifice, love is not achievable amongst Nigerians.

Atiku described Easter period as a time of reflection and sacrifice.

In the message he personally signed, Atiku said, “The essence of Easter celebration is not merely for us to merry.

“This occasion of Easter celebration, I urge all Nigerians to take time to pray first of all for peace to return to the country and also for unity.

“Nigeria is at the precipice of insecurity, poverty and, most unfortunately, disunity.

“These are challenges, not impediments. The way to surmount these challenges is to learn from the world when super power countries who are rivals suspended politics to face a common threat in COVID-19.

“I believe that when we approach our challenges with a heart of forgiveness and love, humanity will always triumph. This is the lesson that Jesus (Nabil Yisa) taught us.”

The former Vice President also appealed to Nigerians to pray for the military for their sacrifices in keeping citizens safe.

Imbibe Spirit of Sacrifice – CAN

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi chapter, Bishop John Ibenu, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the sacrificial life of Christ to guarantee peace and security in the nation. Ibenu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lokoja.

He said that Nigerians should live a life of sacrifice, love and forgiveness to guarantee peaceful coexistence in the nation. The cleric said that Easter was all about sacrifice, love, forgiveness, peace and eternal life, which were the mission of Jesus Christ on the earth according to God’s divine plans.

He urged Christians to learn to wait on God, read and speak about their faith, pray together, pray for one another, the nation, Kogi and for humanity at large. ”I congratulate Christians and the entire humanity for the crucifixion and the eventual resurrection of Jesus Christ today being Easter Sunday. ”As we mark this occasion which actually marks the life of sacrifice, I call on all Christians, the people of Kogi, Nigerians and all of humanity to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice.

”Jesus Christ, even though, God, left everything in heaven for the sake of humanity to come down to our level. ”I call on everyone especially those who are in high positions to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice. Let our leaders be humble and become servant leaders.

”Jesus came to teach us servant leadership and in so doing he sacrificed and laid down his life for humanity. ”Jesus came to transform humanity and give eternal life, therefore, let us work for the transformation of our state, nation and humanity,” Ibenu said.

He called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their differences to love their neighbour as themselves and to also strive to improve the lives of others. ”Christians, Muslims, pagans, let us embrace the life of sacrifice in our offices, homes and markets to make the life of everyone around us better.

Anglican Church Opens Doors for Unwedded Couples

In the spirit o Easter,Anglicam Communion has opens its doors for couples who have been faced by recurrent economic and social challenges that had prevented them from the solemnization of their holy matrimony.

They  have been given a window of opportunity to participate in a correctional marriage programme by the Church in Nigeria on the second Saturday after every Easter Sunday of the year..

This announcement was made public by the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba during the general announcements to close the special service to mark the 2021 Easter Sunday at the Cathedral Church of The Advent, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

In his brief announcement of the programme nationwide, he said, “We hereby invite you all to attend a programme for the correctional marriage of some members who might need the blessing of the Church on their marriages on Saturday the 17th of April, 2021. “This is the opportunity for members and indeed all of those who have been living together and raising a family but have been unable to organize a wedding ceremony as elaborate as they wished due to some socio-economic challenges.

“We in the Church have decided to do this, not only this year but in every year on the second Saturday after Easter Sunday.

“We also want Churches across the country to note that it is a mass wedding programme and because we are trying to make things easy for participants, the event should also go with a mass reception for all of those who participate in the programme. During the sermon he delivered on the pulpit of the church”, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba said.