Good Friday: President Buhari Commemorates With Christians, Says Insurgents May Strike Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
President Muhammadu Buhari has on Friday commemorated with Christians in an Easter message.
In a statement by the President, he said it’s “unfortunate” that Christians will celebrate Easter in a “subdued manner, away from the usual congregation in churches.”
It would be recalled that President Buhari had on March 29 ordered a lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states for 14 days to combat the spread of Coronavirus across the country, leading to restriction of both social and religious gatherings.
However, the President in his Easter message urged Christians to rekindle their faith because “they will overcome.”
He said;
This year’s commemoration of Easter comes amid the grip with which Covid-19 has held the entire world. Unprecedented in living memory, the majority of Christians have found themselves marking Easter in a subdued manner, away from the usual congregation in churches. This is unusual and very unfortunate.
President Buhari stated that;
However, I wish to enjoin our Christian compatriots to rekindle their faith in Christ who overcame persecution, sufferings and displayed endurance, steadfastness and above all piety. Jesus Christ represented man’s ability to withstand temporary pains in the hope of everlasting glory.
He urged Christians to intensify prayers and remain steadfast so Nigeria can pull through this difficult time, saying;
There is no better opportunity than now for all Christians in particular, and Nigerians in general, to remain faithful and hopeful that with intensified prayers backed by personal and collective responsibility, the nation shall pull through this most difficult trial.
In his message, he added that;
I have no doubt that if all stakeholders – individuals and groups – play their part to the fullest as advised by our scientists and medical experts in confronting Covid-19, the inherent resilience and determination of our people will enable us to pull through.
According to the President, there is no known vaccine against the virus but the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is through regular hygiene and sanitary practices as well as social distancing.
He said;
May I use this opportunity to commend the encouraging containment and ameliorating strategies put in place by members of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.
He expressed that;
I am very much aware of the personal and collective inconveniences suffered by our people due to measures such as restriction of movements and closure of business premises. Being “a matter of life and death,” these sacrifices are in everybody’s interest to save our country from calamity.
The President stated that;
As we mark this year’s Easter, whatever the circumstances, I encourage you to make the most of the situation, and to keep safe.
In the same vein, President Buhari, in the Easter message to Christians in Nigerians said Boko Haram insurgents may use the COVID-19 outbreak in the country as an opportunity to attack.
Buhari stated that while the pandemic is a global challenge, his administration is not oblivious of the constant threat posed to the country’s security by these insurgents.
The President expressed that;
While we see the COVID-19 pandemic as a global challenge, this administration is not oblivious of the constant threat posed to our national security by terrorists and insurgents.
He explained that although the insurgents may use this pandemic as an opportunity to attack, armed forces and other security and intelligence services will remain vigilant and continue to contain these threats and consolidate efforts to eradicate them completely.
Buhari said with intensified prayers backed by personal and collective responsibility, the country would pull through the current difficult period.
