Saraki, Dogara, Mark greet Nigerians at Easter; urge prayers

As Christians celebrate Easter, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has called for mutual respect among adherents of various faiths in the country, as this is the only guarantee for peaceful coexistence among different religions in the country.
In his Easter message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki urged all Nigerians to unite in confronting the development challenges facing the nation and urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of God, the nation and humanity.
“I implore Nigerians to use the Easter period to renew their faith in God and strengthen the bond of friendship and brotherhood that has held the country united since the amalgamation in 1914.
“Among the essence of Easter is sacrifice, love for humanity and total submission to the will of God. These virtues should not be lost on us as Nigerians. Let’s continue to pray for a peaceful Nigeria that will be a pride to us and the future generation,” he added.
Saraki further reiterated the commitment of the Senate in supporting the efforts of the present administration to build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
The Senate, he said, is committed to the enactment of legislations that will turn around the nation’s economy and called for the support of all Nigerians for President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dogara urges  Christians to imbibe lessons of resurrection to rise above challenges
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with Christians on the occasion of the Easter, which signifies the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a statement signed by his special adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, Dogara, urged Christians and Nigerians in general to imbibe the lessons of the resurrection as living evidence that every challenge, including even death, can be overcome through abiding faith in God and dogged determination, noting that this should serve as a springboard to rise above the challenges they are currently faced with.
“As we remember the cruxification, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should draw a lesson from his resurrection and rise above the challenges we currently face in this country.
“Even in recession, which the present administration is working hard to exit, there are many business opportunities for providing services and goods that will increase our gross domestic product, improve our economy and empower more of our citizens. We must put on our thinking caps, ginger our acclaimed spirit of innovation, rise above our challenges and get our country working.
“On our part, the House of Representatives will continue to collaborate with the executive by providing legislative backing to policies and programmes aimed at improving the living standard of Nigerians,” the Speaker promised.
He wished all Nigerians a peaceful Easter celebrations.
Mark urges prayers for the nation; says our challenges are surmountable
Senator David Mark has asked Nigerians across the religious or Socio- political divide to close ranks and work harmoniously in order to overcome the challenges facing the country.
Senator Mark  in a good will message to Nigerians marking this year’s Easter celebrations asked the Christian faithful to  use the  period to pray for the survival of Nigeria saying that the current situation  requires  divine intervention to over come the myriads of problems  .
The former President of the Senate enjoined faithful to  imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ and the lessons of Easter which emphasizes  peace, love, perseverance and forgiveness.
To this  end, Senator Mark canvassed for religious tolerance  between and among various denominations in the country pointing out that ” to the best of my knowledge, no religion preaches violence.  All  religions preaches peaces, love and good neighborliness .
” I believe that the more we are together, the better for us all. We have more to benefit from each other and make the society a better place”.
Senator Mark was of the view that the nation’s challenges can be surmounted if  citizens develop positive attitude towards nation hood and harnesses various talents for positive goals.
He stated: ” The difficult situation at the moment, I believe can bring out the best in us. It demands that both the government and the governed should put on the thinking cap and fashion out alternatives for the common good.
” We should as a matter of necessity reignite the indomitable spirit of Nigerians that had seen us through various travails as a people in the past to face the present situation.