President Bola Tinubu has joined the Christian faithful to commemorate Easter, a significant moment and a glorious celebration of the triumph of life over death.
The president in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale warmly greets Christians in Nigeria and around the world on this occasion, emphasizing love, sacrifice, and compassion as the patent themes of this solemn season.
President Tinubu noted that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity is an emphatic lesson for leaders and all Nigerians to yield to selflessness and compassion, and be steadfast in the pursuit of a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation.
The president strongly commended Nigerians for the sacrifices they have made in the past few months for the nation to be steered to the path of recovery and sustainable growth, assuring them that the seeds of patience which they have sown are beginning to sprout and will in no time bring forth an abundance of good fruits.
As Christians celebrate the victory of life over death as exemplified by the resurrection of Christ, President Tinubu assured all citizens that Nigeria will triumph over its challenges as his administration remains firmly committed to this end.
Similarly, as Christians all over the world celebrate Easter, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the deputy senate president, Senator Barau Jibrin, has rejoiced with Christian faithful in the country.
The Federal Government had declared yesterday, March 29 and Monday, April 1, 2024, as public holidays for the celebration of Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.
Senator Barau, in a statement by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, congratulated Christians for the successful completion of the Lenten season, a period of 40 days of fasting and prayer that culminated in the Easter celebration.
He enjoined Christians to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ and the lessons of Easter which emphasize peace, love, perseverance and forgiveness.
He called on all Nigerians to reflect on the state of the nation and rededicate themselves in prayers and sacrifice even as he said the country’s challenges were surmountable if the people unite, love one another and pray for the country and its leadership to move the nation forward.
He prayed for peace and prosperity for all Nigerians and urged them to enjoy a stress-free and violence-free celebration.
In Benue State, the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina cautioned all Police officers deployed on the highways to be vigilant and remained courteous while carrying out their duty.
The CP who gave the charge in a facilitation message also directed all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police officers to deploy personnel and other resources to strategic places mapped out in their areas of responsibility, particularly, churches, parks, event centres, entry and exit routes in the state.
“I want to call on religious leaders, traditional leaders, parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against practices that are unlawful in the course of their celebration.
“I felicitates with the good people of Benue state, particularly Christians on the occasion of Easter celebration, and I am appealing to all Christians to pray for God’s protection and peace upon the state.”
The CP explained that the deployment of officers across the state was to ensure maximum security of lives and property before, during and after the Easter celebration.
In the same vein, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State has deployment 3,300 personnel to man security across the state during the Easter celebration.
The spokesman of NSCDC in the state, Ayoola Micheal said the state commandant, Umar Mohammed has approved the deployment of the officers to the nooks and crannies of the state ahead of the festivities.
Michael said the deployment of the personnel was necessary to preempt any potential disruptions of law and order before, during, and after the Easter celebrations.
He said that the deployed personnel were drawn from various specialized units within the corps, including the Armed Squad, Anti-Vandal Monitoring Unit, Special Female Squad, Intelligence Department, Agro Rangers, and the Counter Terrorism Unit – all geared towards ensuring adequate protection of lives and property of the people of the state.
Michael added that the commandant has directed Area commanders, divisional officers and heads of tactical units of the command to deploy officers and men to various locations such as recreational facilities, Churches, motor parks, and shopping complexes to prevent mischief makers from causing any form of mayhem during and after the Easter celebration.
He said the commandant charged the officers to take resolute and decisive action against individuals with criminal intentions who are bent on vandalizing critical national assets and government infrastructure during the festivities.
“In addition, he cautioned commanders and operational managers to ensure that their personnel adhere strictly to the established rules of engagement of the corps and prevent any instances of unprofessional behavior, as they would be held accountable for any shortcomings,” the NSCDC spokesman stated.
He urged members of the public to be law-abiding and continue to support the corps in the fight against crimes while assuring them of the command’s unwavering commitment to providing security, maintaining law, and order, and safeguarding lives and property in the state.
In Imo, the state Police Command has deployed water-tight security across the length and breadth of the state to ensure a seamless observation of the Holy Week and a peaceful Easter celebration.
The strategic deployment covered crucial public domains like worship/recreational centers and other crowded areas in the State
This was made known through a statement made available to newsmen, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye.
According to the PPRO, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Team Commanders to sustain round-the-clock visibility patrol in synergy with other sister security agencies and embark on intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, while Traffic Officers are to ensure the free flow of traffic across the State.
“In the Spirit of Easter, CP Aboki Danjuma beckoned on the Christian faithful in Imo State to pray for lasting peace in the State and support the Police and other security agencies as they continue to make selfless sacrifices and work tirelessly towards improving the security situation of the State.”
The Commissioner of Police urged the people of the State to remain law-abiding and security conscious by reporting any suspicious person seen or clandestine activities observed within their vicinity to the nearest Police Station.
He warned that the use of fireworks (Knockouts) or burning of tires on the road in the guise of celebration is strictly prohibited as violators will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
CP Aboki Danjuma reaffirmed that the Command is committed to entrenching the tenet of community policing and upholding the core values of professionalism, transparency, and respect for the fundamental human rights of citizens while effectively discharging its constitutional mandates.
“On behalf of the entire officers and men of the Command, the Commissioner of Police wishes the Christian brethren in Imo State and across our dear Country a peaceful Holy Week observation and a happy Easter celebration in advance.”
In a related development, the Akwa Ibom State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed no fewer than 662 personnel including Special Marshalls for effective roads regulatory regime to curb abuses by motorists and other road users during the period of Easter festivities by Christians.
Besides, the Corps has strengthened its surveillance apparatus with ten patrol vehicles, two ambulances and one tow truck for effective coverage of critical areas, prompt rescue and response to distress calls including speedy removal of obstructions from the highways during the period.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), SRC Paul James, who spoke on behalf of the Sector Commander, Mr Mathew Olonisaye, reminded road users that, “It is the season of Easter celebration which commenced Friday, March 29 to end on Monday April 1, 2024; the Easter will be celebrated across the world.”
He said: “Christians and other Nigerians will take advantage of this period to travel across the length and breadth of Nigeria to celebrate with family members and friends.
“Expectedly and as usual, traffic volume will rise during this festive period with attendant traffic congestion, gridlocks, road obstructions and road traffic crashes if not prevented with its resultant injuries and fatalities at worse case scenarios.
“Against this backdrop, the Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps, Akwa Ibom State Sector Command, Corps Commander Matthew Olonisaye, in a bid to ensure safety of all road users, cautions motorist, tricycle riders and motorcyclists against reckless driving and ridding respectively.
“To enhance the Corps’ visibility and ensure adequate and strategic deployment of personnel and material resources and to ensure free-flow of traffic for ease of doing business in Akwa Ibom State, as well as align with the Corps strategic goal of five percent reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries, a total of 662 operatives including Special Marshals have been strategically deployed ahead of the Easter season celebration to man major routes in the State.
“The measure is for traffic control/calming, while ten patrol vehicles, two ambulances and one tow truck are deployed for effective coverage of critical areas, prompt rescue and response to distress calls and speedy removal of obstructions from the highways during the period.”
