Nigerians to be prepared and willing to make
sacrifices for the unity, peace, progress and
political stability of Nigeria.
He made the call on Saturday, April 4, in Abuja
in his Easter message to Nigerians.
He noted that this year's celebration of Easter
is taking place at a period of "very critical
national choices and decisions.
"We must therefore seize the opportunity of
the Easter holiday to reflect deeply on what
more we need to do as a people to ensure that
the political process in which we are currently
engaged is successfully concluded.
"Happily, we have already successfully scaled
the hurdle of the Presidential and National
Assembly elections.
"I am quite hopeful that the gubernatorial and
state assembly elections would also be
conducted peacefully.
"By the grace of God, our beloved nation
Nigeria is moving forward despite all
challenges,'' he said.
Jonathan noted that the lessons of Easter
being celebrated this year in the midst of the
elections are to be found in the Messiah's
divine love and glorious self-sacrifice for the
redemption of mankind.
He urged Nigerians to pray that God Almighty,
who has brought the country this far, will
continue to bless the nation.
Read the President's full Easter message
below:
Fellow citizens,
I greet you all, especially our Christian
brothers and sisters, as we celebrate Easter in
commemoration of the resurrection of our
Lord, Jesus Christ.
For Christians all over the world, the major
lessons of Easter, which we celebrate this year
in the midst of general elections in our nation,
are to be found in the Messiah's Divine love
and glorious self-sacrifice for the redemption
of mankind.
This year's celebration of Easter is taking place
at a period of very critical national choices and
decisions, during which we must all be
prepared and willing to make sacrifices for
greater unity, peace, political stability and
progress in our beloved country.
We must therefore seize the opportunity of
the Easter holiday to reflect deeply on what
more we need to do as a people, to ensure
that the political process in which we are
currently engaged is successfully concluded
and that our beloved country, Nigeria
continues to move towards a better future for
all of its citizens.
Happily, we have already successfully scaled
the hurdle of the Presidential and National
Assembly Elections. I am quite hopeful that
the Gubernatorial and State Assembly
elections will also be conducted peacefully.
To the glory and pride of our fatherland, our
collective actions since March 28 have assured
the world that the democratic spirit is alive
and well in our nation.
By the grace of God, our beloved nation,
Nigeria is moving forward despite all
challenges.
Let us all pray this Easter, that God Almighty
who has brought us this far, will continue to
bless our nation as we march onward towards
the fulfillment of our collective vision of a
truly united, strong and prosperous nation.
I wish you all very happy Easter celebrations.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria