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Tag: Easter celebration

  • FG declares public holidays for Easter celebration

    FG declares public holidays for Easter celebration

    The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18 and Monday April 21 as public holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

    Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion.

    The Minister in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, emphasised the importance of embodying the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, having to die for the redemption of man.

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    He also called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.

    He reassured citizens of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster national growth and development.

    He encouraged Nigerians to extend love and goodwill to their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity.

    The Minister wished all Christians a blissful Easter celebration and extended warm holiday greetings to all Nigerians.

  • Akeredolu greets Christians on Easter celebration

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has rejoiced with Christians across the country on the successful celebration of this year’s Easter.

    He urged the Christian community to continue to trust and believe the words of God which enjoins them to love one another.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Segun Ajiboye, the governor noted that Easter, which is celebrated in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, preaches love and the hope of everlasting life, and he therefore asks Christians to continue to have hope and faith in the nation’s leaders’ capacities to develop the country.

    While urging the Christian community to be diligent and steadfast in their worship of God, Akeredolu equally asked them not to forget to make moderation their watchword during the celebrations.

     

  • There is hope for Nigeria – Makarfi

    The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi said on Friday that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are everlasting reminders that it is possible for Nigeria to overcome its difficulties and embrace great virtues.

    Makarfi, in his Easter message, emphasized that despite various challenges, there is still hope for Nigeria.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Alhaji Mukhtar Zubair Sirajo, the former Kaduna State governor asked all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and embrace the spiritual legacies of Jesus Christ that can immensely facilitate Nigeria’s peace and progress.

    He said: “Warm felicitations and greetings to the Nigerian Christian community, and indeed all Nigerians on this auspicious occasion of the Easter celebrations in memory of the legendary spirit of sacrifice and selflessness espoused and exhibited by Jesus Christ.”

    “It is imperative that this period be used by all for meditation and sober reflections on the life and times of Jesus Christ and his sacrifices, with a view to imbibing such virtues as humility, forgiveness, tolerance, good neighbourliness, respect and empathy for others’ feelings as well as love for one another.”

    “The application of these virtues taught and lived by Jesus Christ is direly needed now more than at any time in the history of this country as we grapple with challenges of poverty, divisiveness and mutual distrust and suspicion, which have crept into the psyche of the country from only-God-knows-where.”

     

     

  • Easter celebration: Ogun FRSC deploys personnel, vehicles

    Easter celebration: Ogun FRSC deploys personnel, vehicles

    No fewer than 710 personnel of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State have been deployed for 24 hours special patrol aimed at easing  traffic ahead and during the Easter celebration in the state, Sector Commander Clement Oladele  has said.

    He said the Corps also deployed 25 patrol vehicles, five ambulances, four patrol motor bikes and one heavy duty towing truck.

    The Sector Commander, while briefing reporters in his office at Abeokuta, said the Corps had enjoined maximum support from the state government and private sector as they deployed their ambulances and tow trucks to clear obstructions till after Easter celebration.

    He said the vehicles are patrolling Ijebu-Ode, Mowe and other critical corridors to ease traffic distress.

    Oladele said the operation against excessive speeding, dangerous driving and overtaking, failure to use/install speed limit device, tyre violation, lane/route indiscipline, overloading , wrongful overtaking , drivers licence violation, road obstruction, use of phone while driving, seat belt use violation, child safety and  Passengers manifest among others

    The Sector Commander debunked the rumour by some commercial drivers /fleet operators that FRSC introduced the speed limiter just to extort them and that the device is damaging their vehicles and also hindering vehicles from ascending hills.

    He said FRSC does not involve in sales/marketing of the devices neither the Corps Marshal have any private link with the vendors. He said the accredited vendors were in charge of sale and calibration of the device and theirs is to enforce the installation and monitor to ensure no vendor install any sub-standard device into any vehicle.

  • Easter celebration: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays

    Easter celebration: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays

    The Federal Government, (FG) has declared Friday 14th and Monday 17th April, 2017 as public holidays to mark the Good Friday and Easter celebrations.
    The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (rtd) who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, enjoined Christians and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Easter, which are love, peace, justice, sacrifice and kindness to their daily living, and through this contribute to unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
    Accoding to a statement issued by the Director Overseeing the Office of the  Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, the minister further urged Nigerians to co-operate and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari, in his sustained efforts to build a strong and virile nation.
    Dambazau wished all Nigerians a Happy Easter Celebration.

  • Easter: Reminder to Nigerians for rebirth – Aregbesola

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that only a total rebirth in national consciousness and values would deliver Nigeria from its many challenges.

    On the occasion of Easter celebration, Aregbesola said renewal, a crucial theme in the celebration of Easter, should make Nigerians rediscover themselves for the purpose of their creation in the first place.

    The Governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, also called on all, especially Christians ‎to use the period to supplicate to God on behalf of the country so that Nigeria will be able to come out of the present economic challenges.

    Aregbesola, who described Easter as a period of sober reflection, enjoined Nigerians to live in peace and harmony at all times despite the present economic hardship.

    According to him, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among humans were necessary elements in the sustenance of development.

    “It gives me great joy to felicitate with Christians on this Easter celebration. As we rejoice in the glory of God, we must not lose sight of the teachings of the period.

    “Jesus Christ’s life was a demonstration of absolute love. We, as creations of God, must learn to live in love and peace. We must learn to live exemplary life.

    “We should all at this time pray for the sustenance of peace and also pray that the present economic situation must come an immediate end. But we need that renewal as a people and that must come with new values.

    “The lesson of Easter is that we too can live a life of sacrifice for our country especially at this time when Nigeria appears to be at the crossroads in terms of the economic and security challenges besetting her. Beyond the eating and drinking in the course of the celebration, we should go to God in prayer to solicit His intervention,” he noted.

  • Easter: FRSC assures of free flow of traffic, safety

    Easter: FRSC assures of free flow of traffic, safety

    Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Thursday assured Nigerians of free flow of traffic and road safety during the Easter holiday.

    Oyeyemi told newsmen in Abuja that the commission had deployed appropriate logistics to major high ways to check traffic challenges during the period.

    “We have about 23 corridors which the country high ways have been divided into, and with the injection of new sets of patrol vehicles, we have been able to cover critical corridors effectively.

    “Going by the strategic session we had last week, we promised Nigerians we will be able to put in our best to ensure free flow of traffic.

    “Already you know we have some critical black spots from Kotonkarfi to Yangoji, then from Yangoji, you look at Lokoja/ Okene Egbeda, that is, Iwo Road-Ninth Mile, then Ogere and Akwanga.

    “Those are the critical areas and corporate personnel have been deployed there; we want to assure Nigerians that we will continue to ensure that for these critical locations, there is free flow of traffic,’’ he said.

    According to Oyeyemi, if there is any crash, the FRSC should be able to give prompt attention to crash victims.

    He appealed to Nigerians, especially families travelling to use their seatbelts, including those in front and at the backseats, and advised that children should not be put on the front seat.

    He also advised women to seat at the back of the car with the child and use the child’s restrained seatbelts to strap him.

    “These are the critical things we need to look at and take precautionary measures seriously than before.

    “As you can see, the weather is changing and we are gradually moving into the full cycle of the rainy season.’’

    Oyeyemi advised Nigerians to ensure that tyres were in order, the braking system and the wipers also fully in order, and to ensure that they put on head lamps when it rained.

    He said that when in parking position, drivers should switch on the car head lamp so that the rear lights would be on to avoid being run into from the rear.

    The FRSC boss reiterated the commission’s commitment to sustaining its campaign on road safety while using the traffic alert in festive seasons like the Easter.

    He appealed to road users to be more conscious of the vehicle conditions, especially while travelling and to adhere strictly to traffic rules to avoid crashes.

  • Lagos to open Ikorodu, Badagry parks for Easter celebration

    Lagos to open Ikorodu, Badagry parks for Easter celebration

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has directed the State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK) to open the newly completed recreational park at Ikorodu and Badagry for public use during the Easter celebration.

    General Manager LASPARK, Mrs. Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun who disclosed this to journalists Wednesday said both parks would be open as a test run with all the necessary facilities obtainable in any standard parks across the state.

    She assured residents that the government has put in place security measures, to enable then use the park without nursing any fear.

    JIjoho-Ogun said government is collaborating with partners adding that the parks would be open free of charge all through the Easter period with funfairs for children and adults to have a fun filled Easter period.

    She said the five hectares metropolitan park at Ibeju Lekki is still on course adding that it has completed perimeter fencing  with about 1million trees planted to protect the acquired land for the park.

    The GM also informed that the agency has concluded plans to train over 750 young assistant horticulturists from the 57 local Government Areas and Local Council Developments Area.

    She said the assistant horticulturists after completing their training would be assigned some of the newly established or existing parks to mange.

    “In readiness for the rain, the agency has commenced aggressive tree pruning exercise across the state to forestall the danger associated with tree falling and windstorm.”

    She enjoined residents to report to the agency any tree that may posed danger to lives and properties anywhere across the state.

    She said the agency is ready and willing to partner with private and business concerns to adopt and maintain open greenery to ensure that all support the state for a greener, healthier Lagos.

    She enjoined all operators of parks in the state to regularize their operations with LASPARK as the agency needs to certify that these parks meet both state and international standard.

     

  • Pope leads Easter celebrations

    Pope leads Easter celebrations

    Pope Francis is celebrating his first Easter Sunday since his election, with an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

    He will then deliver a speech to Rome and to the world – the “Urbi et Orbi” address – from a balcony of St. Peter’s.

    BBC says Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

    At an Easter vigil Mass in St Peter’s, the Pope appealed to non-believers and lapsed Catholics to “step forward” towards God.

    “Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward,” Pope Francis said.

    “He will receive you with open arms.”

    At the start of the service, the basilica was kept dark to signify Jesus’ tomb before what Christians believe was his resurrection. The Pope and the congregation held candles.

    The service was shorter than usual, which the Vatican said was in line with Francis’ preference for shorter Masses.

    Pope Francis, formerly Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected on March 13, becoming the first non-European pope for almost 1,300 years.