By: TUNDE BOLAJI -MINNA.
Christian faithful across Niger state have been called upon to pray to God to help the state Governor Mohammed Umar Bago complete all projects embarked upon.
This call was made by the Chairman Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in his this year’s Easter message to the faithful in the state.
In the message titled: ‘Be Hopeful, Let us show Concern for One Another and Pray for our Leaders’, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese urged the Christian faithful to use the Easter celebration to express love to the less privileged in the society by sharing gifts, especially to the needy, widows, orphans and those who are in dire need.
It should be noted that Easter is the joyful end of the Lenten season of prayers, fasting, and almsgiving following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which brings about hope to mankind.
According to him, “As we celebrate Easter, I enjoin us to pray for Niger state, our leaders, for the unity and peaceful coexistence amongst us.
“Let us pray for God’s guidance, especially for our dear Farmer Governor, Rt. Hon. Umaru Mohammed Bago that God will grant him the grace to pursue with vigor and actualize the ‘New Niger Agenda.’
“I believe with the developments and efforts so far especially in the areas of Healthcare service delivery, Agricultural and Infrastructural developments, Niger state will rise again.
“Also, I believe with our prayers and hope, all projects started will be taken to their logical conclusion, but we need to pray for our Governor.”
While explaining that Easter is a day Christians celebrate the victory of Jesus over sin and death, the Chairman said, “This is the day the Lord has made. We rejoice and are glad in it (Ps 118:24)”.
Furthermore, he called on Christians to be living examples to others, through our lives of love, mercy, compassion, and self-sacrificing service that the Risen Jesus is living in our hearts”.
Bishop Yohanna also commended the security agencies for all they are doing to nip insecurity in the bud.
