The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade has called on Nigerians to stand together against blood guzzlers and enemies of state, nature, and sound reasoning, who take solace in mindless killings of innocent souls.
In his Easter message to Nigerians, the Alaafin said standing together would reinforce collective will to completely snatch the country and its destiny from the jaws of insanity and barbarism.
This he noted is just as socio-cultural orientations that uphold the sanctity of life and the intrinsic dignity in the human person must never be surrendered to the ungodly.
Oba Owoade, who lamented the mindless killings in some communities, warned that there could be no national development without relative peace and stability.
He counselled Nigerians on “Love that considers others first, prefers others above personal and selfish desires which seeks to emancipate, unshackle and liberate”.
According to him, “It was love that took Jesus to the cross. If His heart was not willing and overflowing with love, He could not have offered Himself as a sacrifice.
“At this time in our country, we commend this love to all citizens. Love that considers others first, love that prefers others above personal and selfish desires, love that seeks to emancipate, to unshackle and liberate.
“In our country today, there is the dire need for unfeigned love. This is the vital lesson of Easter. Love will take us above mindless killings. Let us imbibe this love, and let them inspire non-Christians with their genuine display of the attribute’’.
The Alaafin pointed out that Easter should be days filled with love, with appreciation of what God has done for mankind, days of goodwill to fellow neighbours and divine expectation to see the Lord, even as His disciples saw Him at Galilee.
He said, “This would transform our nation, heal our relationships, and give us the polity of our dreams. If we love with the spirit of Easter in our hearts, governance would work, electoral reforms would be easier to accomplish, funds would be judiciously utilized for the good of the larger number, the leadership would love and cherish the led.
“That is the essence of Easter, which we recommend to all Nigerians, indeed, to all humanity, at this time’’.
Alaafin Owoade noted that Jesus Christ lived a life that was completely submitted to the will and desires of God Almighty, adding that every day, He sought to please God.
“If we imbibe this in all areas of our lives, both secular and spiritual, then we are on the path to a glorious life. A life that pleases God, and which honours mankind.
“We will obey the laws of the land implicitly, seek only the good of our fellow men, and serve others with humility and fear of God. Let all these prevail in our hearts and lives, and the essence and spirit of Easter would have been achieved. It would not just be time for revelry, carousing and other forms of debauchery’’, he added.
