EASTER is here again. As usual, the 40-day  Lengthen period ushers Christian faithful across the world into the most important event that has occurred so far in human history, which is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. It is a celebration of the inflection point of what the Bible refers to as the gospel—God’s good news. The crucial elements of the gospel are that Jesus of Nazareth, a descendant of the ancient Jewish King David was about two thousand years ago crucified on a cross during the Jewish Passover, buried in a tomb, and rose from the dead on the third day and was thus exalted to God’s right hand as humanity’s saving king.

OVER the years, Easter has been celebrated by Christian faithful with pomp and pageantry. However, this year’s celebration is a different ball game entirely, due to the present economic hardship faced by majority of Nigerians. The euphoria which precedes the celebration is gradually fading away as a result of the present economic challenge in the country, consequent upon the skyrocketing inflation with its attendant effects which have brought untold hardship on the populace.

UNLIKE the previous years when people demonstrate the essence of love, sacrifice and giving, which is the truth and essence of Easter, they are no longer ready to reach out to others due to the prevailing hardship as they themselves struggle to put food on their tables. Just of recent, some hungry Nigerians trooped out to the streets to register their displeasure and grievances over the hardship in the land. That is aside the incessant strikes embarked upon by the labour. Both the privileged and the poor now face the crashed economy. Every average Nigerian family  will tell you their own tale of woes.

ALTHOUGH, the Federal Government has embarked on some measures to alleviate the sufferings of the people, the hue and cry have continued to reverberate in every nook and cranny of the society.

JESUS  is the REASON for this season. And we celebrate Easter because it is an annual reminder that Jesus triumphed as the saving King who rescues us from sin, punishment, death, Satan and destruction. God is both loving and holy. And we find comfort in God’s love. Therefore, at this critical period in the history of Nigeria, we need God’s compassion, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness. Since Easter is about love, sacrifice and hope, The Hope encourages everyone to still show love to one another and sacrifice by giving, no matter how little. The scripture enjoins, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Gal. 6:9). We should also encourage the citizenry home and in diaspora, of a better Nigeria.

FURTHERMORE, the three tiers of government: the Federal, State and Local Governments should continue to preach the message. They should not be contented with just giving the frustrated masses Easter messages. Such should be translated to practical actions. They should think outside the box and proffer solutions that will cushion the pangs of hunger being experienced in the country.  The governments should take immediate actions to mitigate the sufferings of the people by solving the food crisis, among other challenges bedeviling the nation.They should  look inwards and see how our industries can be revived.

INSECURITY amidst hardship makes the whole situation frustrating and miserable. Therefore, we appeal to the Federal Government to fight tooth and nail,  insurgency which is the main cause of hardship in the country, as kidnappings, killings and maiming of farmers by some herdsmen have sent many productive people out of their farms. Also, our corrupt leaders should use this season to retrace their steps and embrace a new life of holiness, love and sacrifice as displayed by Jesus Christ, to better this nation and turn it around. Likewise, the followers should imbibe the teachings of Christ and follow his instructions.

NO doubt, Nigeria is experiencing economy collapse.  But The Hope admonishes all and sundry to look beyond the lamentations, and continue to see the hope Jesus gives, which is the whole essence of Easter. We must all work as a team to drive the necessary change, while we beseech individuals to have faith in the Power of Resurrection and believe that if God could resurrect Jesus Christ from the dead,  our economy would definitely be revived.

AS we celebrate this year’s Easter, we pray for every Nigerian, that the resurrection Power of Christ inspire your faith and renew your hope.