Gbajabiamila, Wase, Minority Leader calls for love, prayer, peaceful coexistence

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has rejoiced with Christians across the country on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.

Gbajabiamila said the period is very crucial and calls for sober reflection among Christians as it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians now and always.

Speaker Gbajabiamila urged the citizens, especially Christians, to use the period to pray for a peaceful transition on May 29.

He also called for prayers for the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, as well as other leaders in the country.

Gbajabiamila wished the entire Christian community in the country happy Easter celebrations.

Also the Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase CON called on Nigerians to show love to one another and pray for their leaders.

Wase made the call in an Easter message to the Christian faithful signed by Chief Presss Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma.

He said since the essence of Easter was love as exemplified in the unconditional love showered on humankind by Jesus, his followers were duty bound to emulate him.

“I congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters on this spiritual and solemn occasion of Easter and wish them a joyful celebration.

“As you celebrate, I wish to advise every Nigerian to radiate love and endeavour to pray for our leaders to lead us right for the growth of our society”

“Love is the greatest and we should radiate love in all our dealings. We should also emulate him by showing love, praying for one another and even sacrificing where necessary. If we do this, there will be tolerance, peace and all of us will enjoy this great nation”, Wase advised.

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives equally urged Nigerians not to lose hope but use the occasion of this year’s Easter to reawaken their trust in God and reinforce their optimism for a peaceful, united, secure and prosperous nation they yearn for.

The Caucus in the Easter massage to Christian by it’s leader, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu charged Nigerians to focus on the essence of Easter; the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as an eternal reassurance of God’s undying love and divine salvation to mankind.

He said the resurrection of Jesus Christ presents us the reassurance that no matter how unpleasant and painful an adverse situation might be, with God, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

“Easter therefore offers us great lesson in the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, peace over chaos, hope over despair, prosperity over lack; a pointer that with supplications to God and unity in determination, our nation would surely overcome its current political, economic and social predicaments.

“While our Caucus recognizes that most Nigerians are hurting at this time over apprehensions that their hope of a better nation, which they expressed at various levels in the 2023 general elections is being jeopardized, we remain hopeful that the Will of the people will surely triumph at the end of the day.

“The Minority Caucus therefore urges Nigerians to remain united, law-abiding and use the Easter to show love to and encourage one another in hope of the victory of justice over iniquity in the affairs of our nation.

According to him, these challenges are not insurmountable, and that with faith and determination, Nigerians can overcome them.

“As a nation, Nigeria has faced many challenges in recent years, from insecurity and economic instability to social and political unrest.

“Christ rose from the dead and brought new life to the world, we too can rise above our challenges and start afresh,” Archbishop Okoh said in his message.

“This Easter, let us all come together and renew our commitment to building a better Nigeria.”

The Archbishop also called on Nigerians to embrace the values of love, peace, and reconciliation, which are central to the Easter message.

He urged Nigerians to work together to build a better future for all, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

“Let us put aside our differences and come together in unity, just as Christ’s resurrection brought together people from all walks of life,” he said.

NANS to FG: Rescue two abducted Gusau females students, 10 others in Kachia now

From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to authorities concerned to use all possible means to rescue the females federal university of Gusau and secondary school students from their abductors.

The two female Microbiology students of the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara and another 10 female secondary school students of Kachia LGA in Kaduna State had been in captivity.

A press release signed by the Deputy Coordinator, Intercampus Affairs of NANS Zone A Comrade Vanessa Enoch Kwere, and made available to newsmen made the appeal in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.

Kwere issued the statement after NANS delegation met with the management of the university shortly after the union’s Zonal Convention held in Jigawa recently.

She pointed out that the call became imperative in view of the fact that the abducted students were under the care of government, hence they remained the property of government.

Miss Enoch Kwere said: “We were notified of the sad news regarding the abduction of two 200 level female students of Microbiology Department, Federal University, Gusau.

“It is indeed a really heart touching incident, we had to stop by to pay a solidarity visit, to also sympathise with the institution on this incident.

“We urge the students to remain calm and keep praying for the safe return of their friends and sisters.”

According to her, the union met with the school management, including Prof. Ahmad Galadima, the Acting Vice Chancellor, who is also the current Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university; Dean Students’ Affairs, Prof. Lawal Sa’ad; Deputy Dean, Student Affairs, Dr Tagba as well as the Chief Security Officer.

Enoch Kwere said during the meeting, they discussed how the incident happened and the strategies being currently applied by the institution to rescue the abducted students.

“The meeting was presided over by the pioneer Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and President FUBK, Comrade Usman Ladan-Fakai, and