Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Most Rev. (Dr) Peter Odetoyinbo, has called on the President-elect, state governors, newly elected members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, to use the opportunity to reflect on the true values of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as they prepare to serve the people across the country.
Odetoyinbo, who made this call in his Easter Message entitled “Alleluia! Christ Is Truly Risen”, charged those in positions of authority to serve without abusing their powers and privileges.
The Bishop stated that the celebration of Christ’s resurrection should spur the people to go out and proclaim God’s love for humanity, stressing that the best way this can be manifested is to show love to one another, regardless of tribe and religion, especially at this period that Nigeria is in distress.
“We must return to the core values of humanity in our relationship with one another. Our national pledge challenges us to embrace patriotism to our country. The virtues of faith, loyalty, honesty and service to humanity should be the guiding principles for us all, particularly those that were recently elected into various political offices in our country.
“Let them reflect on the true values of the resurrection as they begin to serve whether as governors, senators, members of the National Assembly, ministers, et cetera. They should manifest the new life of the risen Christ who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as ransom for many. Christ did not abuse his power and privileges, though He was in the form of God. He did not count equality with God but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and offered His life so that humanity can be saved”, he stated.
While urging political office holders to join in the project of a better Nigeria where leaders will commit themselves to serving the people as Jesus Christ did, the cleric further admonished them to be close to the members of their respective constituencies and feel their pain and collective desire for change by using their offices to provide the basic amenities that will improve the lives of the people.
Bishop Odetoyinbo stressed that as the resurrection of Christ brought reconciliation and victory over sin, evil and death, Nigerians should be reconciled with one another so that all can live in peace and unity for a prosperous and renewed Nigeria.
“Our hope for a greater Nigeria can only be sustained when we commit ourselves to a new orientation and attitude in our socio-political life. The orientation of service to humanity as against exploitation, sacrifice rather than self-enrichment and love for others rather than self-aggrandisement. With such an attitude, we can achieve the dream of a country of peace and unity where the love of Christ reigns in our heart,” he added.
The Catholic prelate described Easter as a time of hope, new life and new beginning that provides believers the opportunity to renew their commitment to the Christian creed. He said that people should be imitators of Christ and live in love, as Christ loved and gave Himself up to humanity.
“To experience Easter, is to experience God’s new life which is the hope of a better tomorrow. We must learn to let go of the troubles of yesterday and focus on living the new life of today. We look beyond the struggles of life and look forward to the future with renewed faith and hope.
“To us Nigerians, are we not tired of the situation of things in our country right now? Why are we so unkind, making one another sad rather than joyful? We take advantage of every situation to exploit one another and point accusing fingers at others. In fact, many of us complain about the situation of things in our country but do evil to one another on a daily basis,” he said.
Odetoyinbo noted that the prevalence of evil in the country today is the result of individual actions and inactions as vices seemed to have become virtues.
“Many of us complain about the situation in our country, but do evil to one another on a daily basis”.
“Fellow Nigerians, the evil in the land today is as a result of our individual actions and inactions; vices seem to have become virtues. Let us cease to do evil, and learn to do good. If we love our country, we must all work to make it better. Nigeria does not belong to one tribe or religion; this country belongs to all of us and no one should be ostracized in the project of rebuilding our nation”.
He further advised Nigerians to cease to do evil, and learn to do good, saying ,“If we love our country, we must all work to make it better. Nigeria does not belong to one tribe or religion; this country belongs to all of us and no one should be ostracized in the project of rebuilding our nation.
“The undeniable truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ should spur us to confront life with openness to others in words and deeds. Truth and justice must be the foundation of social contracts. Let the truth of Christ’s resurrection inspire us to embrace the truth of God, one another and our country,” he said.
