Easter: There Is Hope For Nigeria, Anglican Primate Declares

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has declared that despite the nation’s physical and security challenges, there is hope for Nigeria and every citizen, as the resurrection of Jesus Christ assures believers of victory and a glorious future.

Delivering his Easter message yesterday, the primate emphasised the centrality of the resurrection to the Christian faith, reminding Nigerians that the empty tomb in Jerusalem remains an enduring proof of Christ’s victory over death.

“This is the end of Easter Sunday, and what is the country that is in the face of this current physical challenge in the country? And follow us! We thank God. Today is Easter, and we celebrate the victory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, over the sin of the grave of our death.

“Today Jesus, who was crucified, who was buried, on this day he rose from the dead, and in fact, up till now, his grave is empty in Jerusalem,” Ndukuba said.

He further explained that the resurrection is the very foundation upon which Christianity stands.

“For us, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our Christian faith. Without Jesus rising from the dead, we have no hope, we have no faith, and we cannot preach this gospel, because this gospel is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“Without the resurrection, our belief and hope is empty. But today we can be assured that as Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even though he may die, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die,’” he said.

The Primate noted that because Christ died and rose again, He is able to save all who put their trust in Him, adding that the lessons of the passion are those of sacrifice, hope, and victory.

“As the scripture says, weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. This is what we celebrate today, the joy of our salvation, the joy of the victory and hope we have in Christ,” he stated.

Turning his attention to the nation’s leadership, Ndukuba issued a strong admonition, calling on leaders across all sectors to embrace sacrificial service.

“And so for our leaders, given our situation, God has shown us how to live, and this life is the life of sacrifice. If you do not want to sacrifice and pay a price, you cannot lead. This is not the kind of leadership that God wants.

“The kind of leadership that God wants is that the leader will serve. The leader will sacrifice. Jesus said that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many,” he said.

He urged leaders in families, workplaces, businesses, government, and religious institutions to give their best for the people committed to their charge, not for personal gain but for the common good.

“We are trusting God that we all as leaders, in the family, in our working places, in our businesses, in the government, in our religious leaders, God is calling us to the life of sacrifice, so that we will be able to give our best for the people that God has committed to our charge and not for our own good, but for the good of the people,” he said.

The primate reminded Nigerians that difficulties and challenges do not last forever, drawing inspiration from the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

“Jesus was crucified, and it was as if there was no hope, yet God turned it around. I am believing God that God will turn the situations of individuals and of families and of our nation around by the power of His resurrection. That which is dead shall come back to life,” he said.

He expressed confidence that as Nigerians celebrate Easter, they are looking up to God for a good and better future.

“The resurrection assures us of a glorious future. This same Jesus who died and rose again is coming back again. As Ecclesiastes says, ‘Vanity upon vanity, all the things of this world are but vanity.’ Therefore, let us set our hearts much more on the things that endure, which will last beyond this life,” he said.

The primate called on Christians to give their time and resources to support others and to do the work of God, promising that as they please God in their living, God will be glorified in their lives. “Christ is risen. There is hope for Nigeria. There is hope for every one of us.”