Easter: Gov Otu salutes Christians, enjoins prayers, sacrifice for progress of Cross River.
Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has called on Cross Riverians to reflect deeply on the selfless life of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the redemption of mankind.
Governor Otu, in his Easter message, maintained that it was only through selflessness and sacrifice that Cross River State and indeed, Nigeria can attain the desired economic progress.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Linus Obogo, Otu 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 governor, while enjoining Christian faithful to imbibe the virtues of peace, love, sacrifice and forgiveness which he stressed, represent the core values of Easter, however, insisted that it was only these lofty ideals that could help in building a virile, cohesive and progressive Cross River.”
Continuing, Otu said: “As the season of fasting finally comes to an end and ushering in Easter, I wish to remind all of us as Christians, that we share a common hunger for clarity about what is good; and what is evil. We must, therefore, strive to re-focus on what is most central and critical to the re-engineering of our dear state.”
While urging Christians to use the significance of the Easter celebration which he noted was a bold statement of sacrifice and redemption to cultivate the spirit of compassion and forgiveness, Governor Otu emphasized that “the season offers us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of peace and unity.”
Stressing the need for continuous prayers for the sustenance of the prevailing peace in the state, Otu said without peace, we cannot achieve the development we yearn for, as a people.
“The peace we are enjoying today in the state is owed, largely, to the prayers and support of all of you, even as I urge you to continue in this momentum by upholding the values that unite us rather than those that seek to pull us apart.”
The governor who reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to his “People First” agenda, noted that “I remain resolute to changing the economic landscape of the state. I want urge every Cross Riverian to embrace God with every cell of your being, every yearning of your soul, and every muscle of your will. This is important because without God in our affairs, we can not berth our aspirations as a state.”