The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, law-abiding, and committed to building a secure, united and prosperous nation.

He gave the charge in his Easter message on Sunday to Christians across Nigeria.

According to him, Easter is not only a period of celebration for Christians but also a solemn moment to reflect on the deeper lessons of faith, resilience, forgiveness, humility, and hope in the face of adversity.

“Easter teaches us that sacrifice is the pathway to glory, that suffering is never the end of the story, and that with faith in God, hope can rise again even in difficult times,” he said.

Mr Yilwatda called on Nigerians to draw inspiration from the resurrection story and remain steadfast in their faith and patriotism despite the challenges confronting the country.

Mr Yilwatda urged Christians to use the Easter period to recommit themselves to the virtues of righteousness, compassion, unity, prayer, and service to humanity. He noted that the country needed men and women who would not only profess faith but also live out its values in public and private life.

The APC chairman expressed concern over the security challenges in parts of the country, commiserating with families and communities affected by violence, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality.

Mr Yilwatda stated that the pain and losses suffered by many Nigerians remained a source of collective national grief. He said it called for greater solidarity, vigilance, and cooperation among citizens. 

According to him, it also calls for cooperation amongst institutions in the effort to restore peace and security across the country.

Mr Yilwatda urged Nigerians to stand together in unity, trust in God, and support all lawful efforts to restore peace, order, and safety in the communities. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to tackle insecurity and stabilise the country.

He noted that the federal government continued to demonstrate commitment through strategic interventions, institutional reforms, and renewed support for the nation’s security architecture.

He urged continued collaboration among all levels of government, security agencies, community leaders, faith institutions, and citizens to ensure that peace, justice, and security prevailed across the federation.

“This is a time for prayer, reflection, and renewed hope. As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we must also pray for the renewal of our nation. We should pray for healing where there is pain, peace where there is conflict, and hope where there is despair,” he said.

(NAN)