National
Govs Preach Love, Peace And Unity As Christians Celebrate Easter
As Christians in Nigerian join their counterparts around the globe to mark this year’s Easter celebration, most governors in Nigeria have enjoined them to imbibe love and other virtues that will engender peace and unity in the country.
Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the culmination of Holy Week, which is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting.
In his Easter message, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, called on the people of the State to, in the spirit of Easter, emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ by living in love and promoting peace, and unity.
The message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor noted that the Easter celebration signals an assurance of a new beginning, not only to Christians but for the entire State.
He, however, emphasised that all the measures taken so far by his Administration were in the best interest of the State and for the general good of the people.
“As a Government, our conscience is clear. We mean well for Rivers people. We came prepared for seamless, people-oriented service to the State. And we intend no harm whatsoever to anybody in the course of providing good governance.
“Let me thank you for your support and cooperation, even as we continue to work collectively to keep our dear Rivers State safe and secure for every resident and visitor.
“So, as you celebrate Easter, remember the reason for the season. Also remember to continue to put our Government in your prayers at this time and always, so that collectively, we can achieve the goals we have set for ourselves in efforts to deliver on our mandate,” he added.
The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, in his own message, called on Cross Riverians to reflect deeply on the selfless life of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the redemption of mankind.
In the Easter message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, Otu maintained that it was only through selflessness and sacrifice that Cross River State and indeed, Nigeria can attain the desired economic progress.
He said: “Today represents a very significant moment in our lives as Christians. Significant in the sense that it is sobering that someone, whom no fault was found in him, sacrificed his life on the cross that we may live.
“His death on the cross and resurrection remind us all about selflessness, the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, love and compassion over hate. These were the cardinal planks of Christ’s teachings before his crucifixion.”
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, urged Christians to reflect on the lessons of Easter celebration, charging them not to lose hope amid the economic headwinds.
Obaseki said, “Easter is a time for reflection, love, sacrifice, renewal and hope. I urge that we use this opportunity to ponder on the lessons and purpose of the celebration and renew our resolve towards achieving a more progressive and prosperous Nigeria.
“As a people, we may have been stretched beyond limits occasioned by the high cost of living and other economic headwinds, but we must not lose hope. Working together in unity, we can overcome these challenges and place our country on the path of sustainable growth and development.
“We must remain resilient and use the period of the celebration to seek the face of God, share our joy with neighbours and work towards a peaceful and progressive nation.”
In an Easter broadcast on Sunday, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State used the occasion to restate his sincere commitment to make life more meaningful for the people in the face of the current economic realities.
He therefore solicited the people’s continued support and prayers for the success of his administration.
In a message titled “HE AROSE THAT WE MAY ARISE” ,he noted that “Easter is an important event in Christendom. It signifies the trial of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the pain and suffering he experienced leading to His crucifixion, and His ultimate victory over death through resurrection, which has brought salvation and redemption to mankind.”
While using his Easter message to reiterate that his government is committed to getting the people out of sufferings, hardship, and misery within the shortest time possible, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State also urged the people to use this period to pray for peace, social cohesion, progress, and healings in all areas of our national life.
“As a season of deep contrition and sober reflections, we have reflected on all those who are suffering from violence and grief, social isolation, illness, poverty, deprivation, and other hardships. As a responsive government, we keep propounding approaches towards getting our people out of every misery within the shortest possible time.”
“Therefore, I urge you to always remember the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ and recommit yourselves to love God with all your heart, embracing His call to treat one another with compassion, as I call on you to use this period to pray for peace, social cohesion, progress and healing in all areas of our national life,” the governor said.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
National
Nigeria Advocates for Collaborative Border Control Efforts with Sahel and West African Nations
Nigeria is seeking enhanced collaboration with Sahelian and West African nations to facilitate effective information and data sharing for improved border control measures.
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Border Security Summit in London, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for regional cooperation.
“There is a critical need for countries within the Sahel and West African subregions to collaborate more effectively for better international partnerships and information dissemination,” he stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of proactive strategies to not only address ongoing issues but to prevent future occurrences. “The major takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on proactivity rather than mere reaction, as nations increasingly aim to criminalize irregular migration.”
He described the summit as a significant opportunity for border control ministers to collaborate in safeguarding their nations’ borders.
The minister pointed out that organized immigration crimes are not confined to individual countries but are a collective issue requiring shared solutions. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating border-related crimes through the implementation of effective strategies.
“Nigeria has developed a comprehensive border control solution, recognizing that we are not just a transit point. Our systems have been automated with numerous measures introduced to secure our borders and eradicate irregular migration,” he affirmed.
“We cannot afford to lose the battle before it begins, and we are confident that, through this summit, we can present a united front to effectively tackle this challenge,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its immigration policies and collaborating with global partners to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.
According to NAN, the summit convened over 30 world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to address significant issues related to border control and organized immigration crime (OIC). The event served as a platform for international cooperation on migration policies, security threats, and strategies to counter illegal immigration activities. (NAN)
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.